Posted on 02/24/2014 9:07:19 AM PST by Phillyred
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — Same-sex couples legally married in another state may face extra time filling out their tax forms in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages, so if a couple was legally married in another state, the partners can not file a joint state tax return here. “Typically, if folks file jointly or separately, they most times would not have any difference in the tax liability in Pennsylvania,” notes Rosalind Sutch, a CPA with the firm of Drucker & Scaccetti, in Philadelphia, “so the requirement that Pennsylvania has recently noted on its web site that folks of the same sex and legally married in another state have to file separate returns is merely a procedural exercise.”
Legally married same-sex couples are permitted to file a joint federal tax return even if they live in a state that doesn’t recognize that union.
PA is essentially a flat tax. Unlikely to make much difference.
“PA is essentially a flat tax. Unlikely to make much difference.”
Most states have a personal exemption for each dependent, it would make a difference if only one queer was working.
I’ve never had to show a marriage license or a divorce decree when I’ve filed. So, file whatever way you want.
Bad tax advice. I presume you wouldn’t accompany anyone taking it to their audit, would you? It’s not the job of the tax preparer to be the IRS police, only to advise you of the consequences of your actions.
I know a homebuilder in Houston that started out about 15 years ago as a “bottom feeder”. They paid their salespeople a higher commission than the other builders but each salesperson was a contractor. They provided their own paper, ink pens, etc and got no benefits.
They’re now a much bigger builder and, as far as I know, their salespeople are still contractors just like the guy who hangs the sheetrock or pours the concrete or cleans the houses. Every contractor is given a 1099 at the end of the year. It’s their responsibility to settle up with the IRS. I doubt they have more than 10 actual employees.
Why couldn’’t every retail business could do that?
Because for the employer to escape the responsibility to pay employment taxes, unemp, workers comp, etc., the employer must give up a lot of supervisory control to make them truly independent contractors.
And that is exactly what they do. They’re not “employers”. They’re contractors and the “employees” are sub-contractors. Now, the law says the contractor cannot force the sub-contractor to work specific hours. They don’t force them. They both agree to the terms.
Employment tax, social security are paid by the sub-contractor. There is no workman’s comp or unemployment benefits. The sub-contractor is self employed. Again, just like the guy who hangs the sheetrock.
Agreed, but that can’t translate to retail
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