There are some tangible advantages in two adults enjoying government recognition as a legit and legal union. Chief among them are the tax benefits. If you thought the intolerant wing of the GOP hated the IRS before, they’re gonna go ballistic over this:
Treasury.gov –The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today ruled that same-sex couples, legally married in jurisdictions that recognize their marriages, will be treated as married for federal tax purposes. The ruling applies regardless of whether the couple lives in a jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage or a jurisdiction that does not recognize same-sex marriage.The ruling implements federal tax aspects of the June 26th Supreme Court decision invalidating a key provision of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.
“Today’s ruling provides certainty and clear, coherent tax filing guidance for all legally married same-sex couples nationwide. It provides access to benefits, responsibilities and protections under federal tax law that all Americans deserve,” said Secretary Jacob J. Lew. “This ruling also assures legally married same-sex couples that they can move freely throughout the country knowing that their federal filing status will not change.”
Under the ruling, same sex couples will be treated as married for all federal tax purposes, including income and gift and estate taxes. The ruling applies to all federal tax provisions where marriage is a factor, including filing status, claiming personal and dependency exemptions, taking the standard deduction, employee benefits, contributing to an IRA, and claiming the earned income tax credit or child tax credit.
And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy My brothers. And you will know My name is the Lord when I lay My vengeance upon thee.
Yes, they deserved to die and I hope they burn in hail!
I just had to channel my inner Samuel L. Jackson there =)
The haters here in Texas are really getting squeezed.
Gay military couples now enjoy benefits regardless of what the state says.
Now all gay couples will be able to enjoy these tax benefits, and since Texas has no state taxes, there won’t be any problems with having to file federal taxes one way and state taxes another way.
Hopefully, the nondiscrimination ordinance will pass here in SA, so those couples will have legal recourse if they are discriminated against in housing, restaurants, etc.
I believe that other major cities, like Houston and Austin already have such ordinances. I’m not sure about DFW, but I think that I read that they do.
There are going to be fewer and fewer ways for the homophobic types to discriminate.
BWAHAHAHAHA!