WASHINGTON D.C.- In a bipartisan effort to bring parity to same-sex couples who, prior to 2013, were not allowed to file federal taxes jointly 47 U.S. Senators have signed on to the Refund Equality Act. The measure would allow couples to file amended returns back to the date of their marriage.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York has introduced the legislation in the Senate.
“For too long, same-sex couples were denied the same rights and benefits as their heterosexual counterparts, including the ability to maximize tax benefits by filing jointly,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This bill would right that wrong and provide millions in refunds to couples that should have received them in the first place.”
New York’s senior Senator and Senate Majority Leaders Charles Schumer is a co-sponsor of the legislation.
According to a release from Senator Gillibrand, the act would return $55 million in refunds to taxpayers and allow same-sex couples who were married in jurisdictions that recognize same-sex marriage to file for income tax adjustments prior to 2013, back to the date of their marriage.
“I’m proud to be introducing this bipartisan legislation and look forward to getting it passed,” said Gillibrand.
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