Same-sex marriage rulings mean tax changes

Updated: Thursday, 27 Jun 2013, 5:12 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 27 Jun 2013, 3:41 PM EDT

• Laura Hutchinson, 22News Investigative Reporter

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Big changes are ahead for same-sex couples after the U.S. Supreme Court wiped away part of a federal anti-gay marriage law.

Same-sex couples and their supporters have had a lot to celebrate this week, especially in California, where the court also paved the way for gay marriages to resume.

On the federal level, gay married couples will now be on equal footing with other married Americans when it comes to health and social security benefits and taxes. CPA Andy Pignatare told 22News it’s likely more states will pass gay marriage this year and depending on where you live, filing jointly may soon get easier.

“The states that don’t, it’s almost a flip-flop of Massachusetts where now you can file a federal return for same-sex couples, but for the states that don’t accept that, you’ll have to file single, kind of the opposite of Massachusetts this year where you can file Mass joint but federal single,” Pignatare said.

The court sidestepped the issue of whether banning gay marriage is unconstitutional, leaving that up to states to decide.

 

All Credits to: Laura Hutchinson, 22News Investigative Reporter