Protest calls attention to taxation of same-sex couples

While the mainstream media were off fawning over the “Tea Party” event, a group of fifteen taxpayers gathered in front of Rochester's Federal Building on State Street to protest another form of unfair taxation. No one from any of the local newspapers, TV or radio stations was there. The issue: Same-sex couples pay considerably more in taxes and lack many of the benefits of those taxes compared to opposite-sex couples. Not everyone there was a member of the affected communities. One husband and wife, when asked why they were there said “to support our brothers and sisters.”


The first question that comes to mind is “what about the so-called Marriage Penalty” that so many married couples bemoan? It is true that married couples who file jointly are often pushed into higher tax brackets and owe more tax. But this applies only to income taxes. There are other taxes which hurt same-sex couples unfairly. Much of the reason is because New York does not grant same-sex couples the same legal status as opposite-sex couples enjoy. If a married spouse dies and leaves property to his or her surviving spouse, it is exempted from inheritance tax. But for a same-sex couple, it is considered taxable and often at a very high rate.

Health insurance is another nightmare for same-sex couples. Many employer-provided health plans provide insurance for married spouses. Far fewer do likewise for same-sex couples. And for those that do, the benefits are considered taxable income. Of course a universal health care system is a much more equitable and efficient way of addressing these problems and others. Meanwhile it does not justify the institutionalized discrimination currently practiced.


Old age benefits open a new set of problems even if the couple has been together for many years. Spouses in opposite-sex couples can receive half of a spouse's Social Security benefits while the spouse is alive, and surviving spouse can continue to collect a deceased spouse's benefits until they die themselves. Some employer pensions cover a same-sex partner but many do not. Even those that do, when the pensioner dies the surviving partner loses all benefits.


These issues could all be eliminated if New York, and all states, would simply recognize same-sex marriages in the same manner as they recognize opposite-sex ones. That was the message of the protesters. Democrats and Republicans, listen up. News media, pay attention!