California same-sex couples get tax break

PlanetOut ^ | July 10, 2003 | Randol White

[nwrep]

California same-sex couples get tax break
Randol White, Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network
Thursday, July 10, 2003 / 04:20 PM

SUMMARY: The state of California will soon give registered domestic partners the same tax break on property transfers as married couples.

The state of California will soon give registered domestic partners the same tax break on property transfers as married couples.

California's elected tax board passed the proposed tax rule change on Wednesday with a 3-2 vote that followed party lines. The revision will take effect in two months, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The State Board of Equalization's openly gay chairwoman Carole Migden (pictured above, left) said, "Changing these rules assures that domestic partners don't lose their houses when they're grieving for their spouses. I think that's a major step."

Critics of the change say it will cost local governments millions of dollars in lost tax revenue. Migden doesn't believe gay and lesbian couples should be singled out for that burden.

Equality California Executive Director Geoffrey Kors agrees with Migden. "Same-sex couples are denied over a thousand federal and state rights available to married couples. This is one step to correct that situation," said Kors.

Before the change, jointly owned property was reassessed as it passed to the surviving partner, while the property owned by married couples kept its original value.

Kors believes the new rule could save some individuals tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the situation. He also thinks there is a psychological benefit for the state's gay and lesbian community.

"It means all of the work that has been done is finally resulting in the state of California recognizing gay and lesbian couples as equal players," said Kors.

The new rule is an incentive for domestic partners to register in California. In an effort to make that process more convenient, Secretary of State Kevin Shelley said Wednesday his department's regional offices will now offer same-sex registry enrollments. Shelley authored California's domestic partnership law.

Kors likes all the positive moves both locally and federally he's seen lately for the gay community. He said, "It's terrific, it's long overdue, and part of the wave of changes we've been seeing over the last couple of months. It's a good year."

[nwrep]

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[ItsOurTimeNow]

Good Lord, where's the *BARF ALERT* for those pictures?

Have you no decency!? lol

[xzins]

Why shouldn't singles/unmarried/unpartnered get the same tax break?

[nwrep]

Why shouldn't singles/unmarried/unpartnered get the same tax break?

Because we are bigoted, hateful, and conservative. This is about reparations for the gays, don't you see?

[xzins]

I agree with you.

I'm just wondering at the logic behind why they were giving a tax break to marrieds that they weren't giving to singles? Do you have any idea what it might be?

[Mo1]

They're the same sex?
Is that Pat?

[Paul Atreides]

How about a new show for Spike TV: STRAIGHT LIKES FOR THE UGLY DYKES

[RightOnline]

Hint: they aren't 'married'. I don't care what anyone says. They're co-habitating homosexuals. I don't like their lifestyle. I don't approve of it. My religion speaks strongly against it. Most peoples' religions speak strongly against it. We don't want to subsidize them.

Get it, California? Plain enough for you?

Damned if I'll ever, ever live in that State again.

[Paul Atreides]

I think the one on the right is Ozzie Osbourne's son.

[EGPWS]

Why shouldn't singles/unmarried/unpartnered get the same tax break?

For the usual reason I suppose. The Guberment wants to dictate a lifestyle that is conducive to a healthy society. Apparently in California lawmakers don't feel being single does that. Go figure!

[Cicero]

Presumably they will get the tax benefits of married couples but will not have to suffer any of the well-known marriage penalties, such as having to file joint returns.

Bush has spoken about doing away with the marriage penalties, but that won't reall happen for practical purposes as long as he leaves the Alternative Minimum Tax in place.

[xzins]

The military grants larger houses to married couples with children than it does to married couples without children. They limit singles to barracks or to smaller housing allowances.

They say that it supports families and children.

Singles say it isn't fair. Who is right? One doesn't do any more work than the other does?

[CGTRWK]

Creating special reduced tax status for perverts, while the state is looking at a 30 some billion dollar deficit and raising taxes on everything else in sight. Way to go California.

[ErnBatavia]

Kid gets around, doesn't "she"?

[EGPWS]

The military grants larger houses to married couples with children than it does to married couples without children. They limit singles to barracks or to smaller housing allowances.

One should be careful as to what one wishes for. Look at the bright side, I live in a large split level on a large lot. I'm single and beleive me there are plenty of times I wish I had a smaller place suited for one person! It can be a LOT of work for 1 person! :0 The military however can do what they want. It is a contractual agreement between the enlistee and the military. When it comes to Civil Government one can toss contracts out the window and in most, if not all, cases the decisions are based on political power and votes not what is best for society.

[TheAngryClam]

Why is not forcing them to pay taxes a subsidy?

Anything that reduces the taxes paid to government is a good thing.

[TheAngryClam]

So I take it you agree with the Democrats that the way to solve our budget crisis out here is to raise taxes?

[navyblue]

Does this mean that I can now get the same benefits with my live-in girlfriend even though we are not married?

Now why do I thing I will never get away with that?