Tax Issues for Palm Springs LGBT community

The IRS recently declared that same-sex married couples will enjoy the same tax treatment as straight couples beginning on September 16, 2013. This is an important decision since the practical realities of life post-DOMA were uncertain. Now, same-sex married persons can file joint returns, amend previous returns and request refunds for the past three years. Additionally, the IRS explained that it will recognize any legal marriage irrespective of the state of residence of the filers. This means that a gay couple in Kansas could travel to Washington and get legally married and this marriage would be recognized by the IRS. When the Kansas couple returns to their home state they must file as a married couple on their federal income tax returns. (They would not be able to file as a married couple for their state tax returns, however.)