Same-sex Spouses Pay $6,000 More a Year in Taxes than Straight Couples

Posted by Kevin Farrell on Dec 27, 2011 in U.S. | 7 comments

“I pay my taxes just like you, so I should be able to marry just like you!”

It’s a common enough phrase at any gay pride parade or hypothetical dinner party involving the Bachmanns, my partner and I. But the thing is, it’s far from the truth.

LGBT couples don’t just pay their fair share of taxes. Instead, they pay about $6,000 more than their straight counterparts on average.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Same-sex spouses are paying as much as $6,000 a year in extra taxes because the federal government doesn’t recognize gay marriage, according to an analysis conducted for CNNMoney by tax specialists.

While marriage provides tax benefits for many heterosexual couples, same-sex families don’t enjoy the same perks because they are not allowed to file their federal returns jointly.

The imbalance persists despite increasing acceptance of gay marriage as a legal right. More than 12 states now grant full or partial marriage rights to same-sex couples, and a recent Gallup poll showed — for the first time — that a majority of Americans favor gay marriage.

But not the federal government, which is constrained by the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. Even as more same-sex couples are able to file jointly at the state level, they are still forced to file as single when submitting federal returns to the IRS.

This means they can’t combine their income and deductions to take advantage of lower tax rates. It’s also harder for them to qualify for certain tax breaks because the credits phase out sooner for single filers.

Published statistical analyses like this are just another sign of the times that federal marriage equality is on its way. Our most reputable news organizations in America are taking an interest in the rampant silent inequalities LGBT Americans face, which in turn sways public opinion and political representatives.

But don’t go spending your benjamins on your Benjamin just yet. You still owe Uncle Sam an extra 6K for now.

http://twitter.com/kpringologist Kindra Pring

Of the more than a thousand rights forbidden to same sex couples, most are tax benefits. And yet people think marriage just a “word” – they’re practically taxing sexuality. Though I think offering tax benefits to married people regardless of gender, isn’t really fair to single people. Tax benefits for people with children is one thing – they have to support children. Couples without children shouldn’t get any more benefits than when they’re single. But since the straight married couples will never give that up, then they can’t keep that to themselves.

meh2

there’s nothing left to do but roll your eyes at this country. the second i get the chance, im headed to the uk.

amita12

It’s no better there, dude

http://www.MaleEroticEvolution.com Michael!

OH! So this is how we’ll destroy straight marriage. If all us mo’s don’t keep paying these extra taxes, we’ll destroy the economy or maybe the str8′s will lose their deductions and then they’ll be all sad. I totally get it now.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=578599222 Doug Johnston

I’m beginning to wonder if Wayne & are I
the only couple who’s accountant is smart enough to know the laws? We were shocked this year when our
accountant told us that President Obama signed a new law for the IRS to REQUIRE
that gay married and domestic partners now MUST file their taxes as
“single” with a special notation of who the partner is and that all
income and expenses are divided equally.
Without checking the filing “jointly” box, we gained, in July,
the same tax rights as married heterosexual couples! I didn’t believe it, so I actually made an appointment at the IRS
and sat down with a human and had them find the rule on the IRS website and
verify that our “Libertarian” accountant was correct! There has been no publicity of this, I would
imagine, to keep our President from having to deal with the backlash in an
election season. I would appreciate it if someone would
verify this publicly for me. I didn’t dream it, and it saved us thousands in
taxes because I’m unemployed and Wayne’s business is making good money.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=578599222 Doug Johnston

That should read “REQUIRE that gay married and Registered Domestic Partners now MUST file their taxes as”

Also, I don’t think this Federal rule applies only to California residents like us. We have been filing California State Taxes as “Joint RDP” for many years, but this is the first year we have been able to do the same with our Federal Taxes.
Anonymous

That’s great news hopefully we can get an article out or have places like HR block educate same sex couples about thse tax breaks. Still it would be nice to be able to marry one day.

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