Idaho brings tax rules up to date for same-sex couples despite objections by Republicans
Despite arguments that same-sex marriages should not be recognised, Idaho is bringing its tax code in line with federal rules.
The House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Tuesday voted to bring the tax code up to date.
Republican Representatives Ron Nate and Stephen Hartgen said that the state still bans same-sex marriage in its constitution so should not be conforming with the Internal Revenue Service.
This comes despite the state annually bringing its code up to date with federal versions.
This is done to help business and residents keep up to date.
“If we here in Idaho think that the laws or even the ruling of the Supreme Court is not constitutional, then we have an obligation and a duty to defend our state Constitution against those infringements,” said Nate.
In recent years Idaho has required same-sex married couples to recalculate their taxes and file as two singles for the state tax return.
Then in 2014 the state’s same-sex marriage ban was struck down.
Hartgen goes further to say he thinks under Trump that a new Supreme Court justice will be appointed who will seek to overturn same-sex marriage.
“The landscape has changed,” he said.
The tax bill will now go to Idaho’s House for the full approval.
