Filing Your Tax Return? IRS Recognition of Same-Sex Couples Means Major Change for 2010 Returns

Save the Date:  Lambda Legal Teleconference on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific

The IRS has announced a major shift in how it treats certain same-sex couples who are married or are registered domestic partners in three states. For the first time, as California, Nevada and Washington registered domestic partners and California same-sex spouses fill out their federal tax returns for 2010, the IRS will recognize jointly owned community property income, the same way it does for different-sex married couples who file separate federal income tax returns.

Lambda Legal will host a telephone news conference on February 22, 2011 to explain how affected couples must complete their tax returns.  Lambda Legal has also released a short guide aimed at same-sex couples and tax professionals outlining the new rules.

WHAT:           Telephone conference for members of the news media

WHO:                Peter Renn, Lambda Legal Staff Attorney
       

WHEN:        Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific

CALL-IN:         Conference number: (888) 390-3983


WHY:                The IRS will now recognize the jointly owned community property income earned by California, Nevada and Washington RDPs and California same-sex spouses, the same way it long has done for different-sex married couples who file separate federal income tax returns.  Recognition of "community income" means couples each will report half of their combined income on their separate returns -- called "income-splitting" -- which can mean big savings for couples with wide disparities in income.

SUBMIT:         If you'd like to submit your questions ahead of time please send them to Jason Howe, Senior Public Information Officer at jhowe@lambdalegal.org

To download Lambda Legal's FAQ explaining the new IRS position about registered domestic partners' community property rights, please go to: http://www.lambdalegal.org/publications/factsheets/fs_the-irs-applies-income-splitting-community-property.html