The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have ruled that same-sex couples, legally married in jurisdictions that recognize their marriages, will be treated as married for federal and state tax purposes. The ruling applies regardless of whether the couple lives in a jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage or a jurisdiction that does not recognize same-sex marriage.
Under the ruling, same-sex couples will be treated as married for all federal tax purposes, including income and gift and estate taxes. The ruling applies to all federal tax provisions where marriage is a factor, including filing status, claiming personal and dependency exemptions, taking the standard deduction, employee benefits, contributing to an IRA and claiming the earned income tax credit or child tax credit.
Any same-sex marriage legally entered into in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, a U.S. territory or a foreign country will be covered by the ruling. However, the ruling does not apply to registered domestic partnerships, civil unions or similar formal relationships recognized under state law.
Legally-married same-sex couples generally must file their 2013 and subsequent years federal income tax return using either the "Married Filing Joint" or Married Filing Separate" filing status.
Individuals who were in same-sex marriages may, but are not required to, file original or amended returns choosing to be treated as married for federal tax purposes for the 2013 and subsequent tax years.
Same-sex couples married in all states may now file their taxes as either "Married Filing Joint" or Married Filing Separate". Please check with your individual state to see if you are required to file the same on your state return as you filed on your federal return.
States that do not have state returns or only tax interest and dividends:
- Alaska
- Florida
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- Wyoming
If you are filing a state return, please click here for more information on filing as a same-sex couple. For additional information, please see the IRS website pertaining to frequently asked questions for individuals of the same sex who are married under state law.