The IRS announced today that all legal same-sex marriages will be recognized for Federal Tax purposes. The looming question about whether the IRS would use the state of domicile or the state of celebration to define “legal marriage” has been answered. They have chosen the state of celebration which means IRS marriage recognition will be based on where the marriageContinue reading “IRS Will Recognize All Legal Same-Sex Marriages – Regardless of State of Residence”
Category Archives: RDP Tax Returns
DOMA is Dead – To Wed or Not to Wed; that is the Question
With the fall of DOMA has come a rush of same-sex couples (SSCs) converting their partnerships into marriages. It is an emotional time, especially for those who have waited for over thirty years to make that change. I have been to three weddings since the fall of DOMA and have five more between now andContinue reading “DOMA is Dead – To Wed or Not to Wed; that is the Question”
Supreme Court to Hear DOMA Case on March 27th
The time has finally come. On March 27th, the Supreme Court will hear a case challenging the constitutionality of DOMA. Many have come forward over the last year in support of overturning the Act. Support has ranged from progressive LGBT rights advocates to President Barack Obama himself. Most recently Bill Clinton, the man who signed DOMA into law inContinue reading “Supreme Court to Hear DOMA Case on March 27th”
How Marriage Equality Affects your Retirement: IRA Tax Loopholes Available to Opposite-Sex Married Couples Only
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are powerful tools for funding your future. Putting money into an IRA can be a great way to save for your retirement because it provides tax benefits in the present. Unlike some retirement plans, IRAs can be set up by anyone; they do not have to be set up by your employer. OneContinue reading “How Marriage Equality Affects your Retirement: IRA Tax Loopholes Available to Opposite-Sex Married Couples Only”
Loss of Head of Household Status for Registered Domestic Partners in Washington and Nevada and Same-Sex Married Couples in California
As taxpayers we are always looking for ways to keep more of our money. If you are unmarried, one of the easiest ways to save on taxes is to file as Head of Household (HOH) instead of Single. The HOH filing status has both lower tax rates and a larger standard deduction. Together, these advantages can haveContinue reading “Loss of Head of Household Status for Registered Domestic Partners in Washington and Nevada and Same-Sex Married Couples in California”
The Adoption Tax Credit – One Good Thing the Defense of Marriage Act did for Registered Domestic Partners
Despite the adverse effect that the Defense of Marriage Act has on millions of LGBT people, there is one instance in which it helps. That instance is the availability of the Adoption Tax Credit to those who adopt their partner’s children. This of course only applies to those living in states that allow second-parent adoptions;Continue reading “The Adoption Tax Credit – One Good Thing the Defense of Marriage Act did for Registered Domestic Partners”
Social Security Issues for Registered Domestic Partners in Washington State
The absence of federal marriage equality has a powerful impact on your social security. I briefly touched on this in a previous post, Washington to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage?. What I discussed there was in the context of survivor benefits which is unfortunately only one of the social security issues that “unmarried” couples face. Let’s startContinue reading “Social Security Issues for Registered Domestic Partners in Washington State”
It’s Tax Time: What You Need to Know if You are a Registered Domestic Partner in Washington State
In 2010, the IRS made drastic changes to the filing requirements for Registered Domestic Partners (RDPs) in Washington State. Didn’t know about these changes? You are not alone. It was a scramble for many in 2011. Some learned of the changes just before the filing deadline, while others remained unaware until after they had filedContinue reading “It’s Tax Time: What You Need to Know if You are a Registered Domestic Partner in Washington State”