California domestic partners can file joint tax returns

Oct 2, 2006 7:14 pm US/Pacific
Schwarzenegger Signs Domestic Partner Tax Bill

(CBS 5 / AP) SACRAMENTO California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that will let registered domestic partners file joint state income tax returns, a victory for gay rights activists but a setback for conservative Republicans. The governor did not offer an explanation for his signature.

State Sen. Carole Midgen, D- San Francisco, praised Schwarzenegger for giving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families the same tax benefits afforded to married couples.

"This is a historic day for equality," Migden said in a statement.

Equality California's executive director Geoff Kors said the measure will help domestic partners better provide for their families because their tax bill will be lower.

Republicans had opposed the measure, saying it would legitimize same-sex relationships. Critics also said the measure would cost taxpayers an estimated $10 million a year to subsidize gay marriages.

Randy Thomasson, president of Campaign for Children and Families, issued a statement charging the governor and the Legislature with creating a counterfeit marriage.

"Shame on Arnold Schwarzenegger for attacking marriage between a husband and wife and for being two-faced about this sacred institution," Thomasson said. "Where's his respect for marriage?"


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October 03, 2006
California domestic partners can file joint tax returns

A landmark bill enabling California's registered domestic partners to file joint state income tax returns and have their earned income treated as community property for state tax purposes was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Saturday. The State Income Tax Equity Act was sponsored by Equality California and authored by lesbian state senator Carole Migden of San Francisco.

"This is a historic day for equality," Migden said in a statement. "The governor's signature on my tax equity bill gives lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender families, who share the same costs and responsibilities that go with parenthood or being a spouse, the same tax benefits afforded to married couples. At last we acknowledge the equal contributions of LGBT households and remove the tax inequity that has been suffered by these families."

An average family of four with one stay-at-home parent could save as much as $2,000 a year by filing jointly.

In related news, Schwarzenegger also signed the Equality in Prevention and Services for Domestic Abuse Fund, which establishes a fee on domestic-partnership registrations to support education and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender victims of domestic violence. "Enactment of this bill means that all victims of domestic violence—regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity—will receive basic information and services," Geoff Kors, executive director for the gay rights group Equality California, said in a statement. "We applaud the governor for signing this bill into law." (The Advocate)



California: Schwarzenegger signs, vetoes gay rights bills