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N.C.
Couple Refuse To Pay Taxes
To
Protest Gay Marriage Ban
by
365Gay.com from the Web, January 30, 2006
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Hendersonville, NC -- A
Hendersonville, North Carolina same-sex couple is refusing to pay Federal and
North Carolina Income Tax to protest the refusal of both levels of government to
recognize them as a couple.
Merrill, a 71-year-old artist and gay activist says the protest will involve
about million dollars worth of stock sales and income.
"I have no intention of paying Federal and State Income taxes because my same
sex partner and I cannot be legally married and receive the same tax benefits as
other married couples," Merrill said in a statement on Monday.
The IRS says it is legally bound by the Federal Defense of Marriage Act to treat
same-sex partners as single. North Carolina also has a DOMA.
Congress is expected to make a second attempt at passing a constitutional
amendment this year. A similar bid failed in 2004. The state of
North Carolina also is expected to consider a proposed amendment this session.
"By not paying taxes, this is a deliberate act of civil disobedience towards a
President that wants to make an amendment to the Constitution to only allow
marriage between a man and woman, rather than two people who love each other,
and that discriminates against us as full citizens of the United States," said
Merrill.
Last January the IRS issued a warning to same-sex couples -- particularly those
legally married in Massachusetts -- that they must file separate tax returns.
The warning followed a court ruling in Minnesota where a federal judge dismissed
a lawsuit by a gay couple claiming they deserved a tax refund because they were
legally married and should be granted married taxpayer status.
A 2004 study showed that gay families pay on average higher taxes and get fewer
benefits.
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