THE MESSAGE
Why Marriage Matters During Tax Time
As Americans from coast to coast rush to meet the upcoming April 17th deadline to file their 2006 tax returns, same-sex couples and their families – as well as their employers and tax preparers – will have to overcome obstacles placed in front of them by the government.
- When it comes to taxes, same-sex committed couples will always pay more, but get less because of discrimination in marriage. Married couples can file taxes jointly and be taxed at a lower level, but same-sex couples cannot because they are excluded from marriage; same-sex couples also lose out on the ability to collect each other’s Social Security, receive automatic inheritance rights, or transfer property without being taxed because of the exclusion from marriage.
Next week…Why Marriage Matters the Day Before Tax Day
The Report The Effect of Marriage Equality and Domestic Partnership on Business and the Economy |
The Resource
For Richer, For Poorer: The Freedom to Marry as a Matter of Economic Justice |
The Number
65% of American voters support legal recognition of same-sex couples' relationships. |
The Map State Prohibitions on Marriage for Same-Sex Couples (HRC) |
THE SPOTLIGHT: New Hampshire
New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition
Last Wednesday, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to create civil unions and a Marriage Equality Commission. Both bills passed with solid bipartisan majorities. State Representative Mo Baxley, the executive director of NHFTMC, said, "With both of these bills passing the House at the same time, the message was civil unions are the first step toward marriage equality." A Senate hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, April 10th, to discuss these bills, and Baxley said she expects both will pass the Senate. Visit New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition's website to see how the hearing turns out, or get involved and email the New Hampshire Senate today!
THE NEWS
For the latest news, opinions, and polls, including these articles, check out our website.
National
Giant Tax Headaches for Same-Sex CouplesMarketWatch; February 9, 2007
MarketWatch breaks down the tax filing headaches for same-sex couples resulting from their exclusion from the freedom to marry.
OPINION: Have Faith in Marriage
The News and Tribune; April 4, 2007
An Indiana columnist discusses how different-sex couples' marriages will not be threatened by ending the exclusion from the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.
Regional
Maryland Same-Sex Couples Anxious for Court RulingWashington Blade; April 6, 2007
Marylanders are awaiting the state’s high court decision, expected any time now, on a marriage case that could redefine their lives.
New Hampshire House Passes Civil Unions
Concord Monitor; April 5, 2007
In what lawmakers called a victory for fairness and equality, the House voted by a nearly 2-to-1 margin...to endorse creating civil unions for same-sex couples.
