New York’s two US senators are proposing legislation that would allow same-sex couples to amend their past tax returns.
Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer are two of the sponsors of the Refund Equality Act, which would allow those who were legally married before 2013 to amend their returns to show their marriage. Before 2013, the federal government barred same-sex couples from filing jointly.
“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. I’m proud to be introducing this bipartisan legislation and look forward to getting it passed.”
The bill is estimated to help couples across the country secure $55-million in refunds.
