Same-sex married couples in Maryland will be able to file joint tax returns but they'll have to wait a year to do so.
Comptroller Peter Franchot said Wednesday in a statement that "same-sex couples in the State of Maryland – whether married in this state or in other states – will have the opportunity to file joint tax returns for Tax Year 2013, and will receive the same state tax treatment as any married couple."
The comptroller issued the statement a day after a Washington Times story reported that same-sex couples in Maryland would not be eligible to file jointly.
Franchot said the story "contained significant misinformation regarding the tax filing status of same-sex couples in Maryland."
That story raises questions about Maryland's tax code that could prevent same-sex couples from filing jointly, including some federal laws.
Franchot said those hurdles will be cleared in the next year and open the door to same-sex couples filing jointly in the state.
"This will occur either as a result of a legislative action, or if necessary, a regulatory change, either of which is necessary because Maryland’s tax code is conjoined to the IRS unless specifically decoupled. My senior staff and I will work with legislative leaders over the next few weeks to determine the most appropriate course of action," Franchot said in his statement.
The changes, if they occur, will allow same-sex couples to file jointly for the tax year 2013—which is actually filed by April 15, 2014.
"I proudly testified in strong support of the Civil Marriage Protection Act and remain a steadfast supporter of marriage equality," Franchot said. "Honoring Maryland’s hard-earned reputation for fairness and equality, this change will afford same-sex couples with the rights and protections commensurate with their obligations as taxpayers.”
Maryland voters approved a state law sanctioning same-sex marriage in Maryland. The first marriages are expected to take place after the first of the year.
I am just bringing up some issues that I find repulsive. I DO THINK GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES should have the right to be married. It isn't my or the government's business what they do in their homes. BUT I ALSO WANT THE "LGBT" community to stand up to the beastiality, amorphous and other side communities that want to latch on to their movement. Sorry, I want them to come out strongly and reject these truly crazy ideas and ideals. Sorry, I don't support a man and his cat and I don't support threesomes as equal or needing protection under a law.
Sorry, I reject it. It won't lead to many positive things.
That being the case, why stop at two? The possibilities are endless. And as Craig states, particularly for the lawyers.
See the very first comment. Do you think you or I will receive a plausible explanation?
As for my friends David, Baylee, et al, nowhere in my comments did I mention opposition to gay marriage, nor did I disparage anyone or call anyone names. I have a number of gay and lesbian friends and I love them dearly. Merry Apocalypse everyone!
And if you want to reference homesexuals in the Bible, let's also discuss how the Bible feels about slavery - because I've read it and the Bible thinks slavery is just fantastic.
However, just remember the Sermon on the Mount. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake..."
Ah, how people pick and choose. Remember the Sermon on the Mount, where he decreed, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48) Remember the Sermon on the Mount, where he said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2)
And that's why we remember the Sermon on the Mount, where he made clear, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" (Matthew 7:21-23)
religion, artwork, friends, etc gonna get a tax break?
You dont have to like it, but it's time to let it go.