Taking on the IRS

It’s a thorny issue. Do you take on the IRS? Will there be a fine levied against you for doing so?

The issue, in my opinion, is clear. The IRS is a federal agency. As such, the marriages of gay couples are not recognized by the Federal Government. You can file jointly if you want, but you will be breaking the law.

Having said that, it takes a lot of courage to confront the IRS and the government about the injustice that gay couples face in this country. Taxes are just one of the issues. What ever the outcome, gay couples who do this should make it public and well known what they are going through. If the IRS punishes them in any way, that too should be made public.

That is how change always happens; with a few individuals who show extraordinary courage against incredible odds.

What really strikes me as ironic is how much value these couples put on being married. They are ready to risk the wrath of the IRS to declare themselves married. That speaks volumes to the sanctity of their marriage.

Stack that up to people today, such as Britney Spears, who got married on a whim. Her marriage was 100% legal to the State, the Federal Government, and the IRS. Yet, she discarded it like yesterday’s trash and got a divorce 55 hours after she married.

That is what we should be protecting marriage from. Not gay couples who risk fines and jail be declaring with dignity that their marriage is real!

Additional Information:
“The 2005 queer tax guide” from gay.com

BOSTON -- As if tax season isn’t stressful enough, gay newlyweds in Massachusetts this year are pondering a new thorny question: Do they check “married” or “single” on federal tax forms?

A landmark court ruling made Massachusetts the first state to sanction same-sex weddings nearly a year ago, but gays and lesbians will have to untie the knot this April - on paper at least - since the federal government doesn't recognize their unions.

But some aren’t ready to declare themselves “single” to the IRS.

“I fully intend to file a married joint return, regardless of the fact the we’re not supposed to,” said Arthur Henneberger, 46, of Springfield. “If they kick it back, fine, we’ll go to court.” [...]

Julie and Hilary Goodridge, the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit, plan to follow GLAD’s advice and file separate single returns to the IRS, along with a letter noting their marriage.

“I don't want to do something that’s not legal, frankly, whether it’s discriminatory or not,” Julie Goodridge said. “I consider it every single day, but I won’t do it.“

“We created a lot of change in this state,” she said. “There’s a lot of ways that we’re incredibly lucky. We were able to get married in our home state. If I have to wait two or three or four more years to file a joint federal tax return, then I’m willing to wait.”(source)