Because same-sex married couples are now federally recognized, they can file joint tax returns. The IRS also recognizes federal tax provisions which include income tax credit, child tax credit, and employee benefits.
Spousal exclusion now applies to same-sex couples, which permits partners to leave property to the surviving spouse without having to pay estate taxes when the first spouse passes away.
The 2015 ruling, Obergefell v. Hodges, also made amends to states’ intestacy statutes. Now if a same-sex spouse dies without making a will, the surviving same-sex spouse will inherit some of the assets of the deceased spouse and receive other benefits formerly only available to heterosexual couples such as homestead protection.
