Kimberly Lankford for Kiplinger writes: Is it worth the hassle for legally married same-sex couples to amend old tax returns to claim the “married filing jointly” status?
If you were legally married anywhere that sanctioned such unions in 2010, 2011 or 2012, you have the option to amend your federal tax returns
from those years to file jointly rather than as two single filers.
from those years to file jointly rather than as two single filers.
You aren’t required to amend the returns, but it’s worthwhile to calculate whether you’d come out ahead as joint filers, especially if there’s a big difference in your incomes. “When there is a disparity in income, especially if you have a nonworking spouse, there will be a benefit,” says Jean Nelsen, an enrolled agent in San Francisco. (Enrolled agents are licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS.) If both spouses work and have similar incomes, they are likely to be hit with the “marriage penalty,” she says, providing little or no benefit to amending the returns. And if both spouses have capital losses or rental real estate losses, deductions for those losses can be limited when couples file joint returns. Nelsen also points out that if one spouse has adopted the other spouse’s children, he or she would lose the adoption credit with an amended return.
.) If both spouses work and have similar incomes, they are likely to be hit with the “marriage penalty,” she says, providing little or no benefit to amending the returns. And if both spouses have capital losses or rental real estate losses, deductions for those losses can be limited when couples file joint returns. Nelsen also points out that if one spouse has adopted the other spouse’s children, he or she would lose the adoption credit with an amended return.
You have until April 15, 2014, to amend a 2010 return; until April 15, 2015, to amend a 2011 return; and until April 15, 2016, to amend a 2012 return. You need to file a Form 1040X for each year you are amending a return. Nelsen says the procedure is to choose one of the returns that was previously filed as single and use those numbers as the “previously filed amounts” required on the amended return, and add the other spouse’s numbers in the adjustment column.
“Document, document, document,” she says. “The more information you can give the IRS as to why you are doing the amended return, the better.” Include details about the change in filing status in the explanation of changes section of the amended return. For more information, see the IRS’s Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Individuals of the Same Sex Who Are Married Under State Law.
, document, document,” she says. “The more information you can give the IRS as to why you are doing the amended return, the better.” Include details about the change in filing status in the explanation of changes section of the amended return. For more information, see the IRS’s Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Individuals of the Same Sex Who Are Married Under State Law.
Below is the IRS's Same Sex FAQ
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Individuals of the Same Sex Who Are Married Under State Law
The following questions and answers provide information to individuals of the same sex who are lawfully married (same-sex spouses). These questions and answers reflect the holdings in Revenue Ruling 2013-17 in 2013-38 IRB 201.Q1. When are individuals of the same sex lawfully married for federal tax purposes?
A1. For federal tax purposes, the IRS looks to state or foreign law to determine whether individuals are married. The IRS has a general rule recognizing a marriage of same-sex spouses that was validly entered into in a domestic or foreign jurisdiction whose laws authorize the marriage of two individuals of the same sex even if the married couple resides in a domestic or foreign jurisdiction that does not recognize the validity of same-sex marriages.
Q2. Can same-sex spouses file federal tax returns using a married filing jointly or married filing separately status?
A2. Yes. For tax year 2013 and going forward, same-sex spouses generally must file using a married filing separately or jointly filing status. For tax year 2012 and all prior years, same-sex spouses who file an original tax return on or after Sept. 16, 2013 (the effective date of Rev. Rul. 2013-17), generally must file using a married filing separately or jointly filing status. For tax year 2012, same-sex spouses who filed their tax return before Sept. 16, 2013, may choose (but are not required) to amend their federal tax returns to file using married filing separately or jointly filing status. For tax years 2011 and earlier, same-sex spouses who filed their tax returns timely may choose (but are not required) to amend their federal tax returns to file using married filing separately or jointly filing status provided the period of limitations for amending the return has not expired. A taxpayer generally may file a claim for refund for three years from the date the return was filed or two years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. For information on filing an amended return, go to Tax Topic 308, Amended Returns, at http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc308.html.
Q3. Can a taxpayer and his or her same-sex spouse file a joint return if they were married in a state that recognizes same-sex marriages but they live in a state that does not recognize their marriage?
A3. Yes. For federal tax purposes, the IRS has a general rule recognizing a marriage of same-sex individuals that was validly entered into in a domestic or foreign jurisdiction whose laws authorize the marriage of two individuals of the same sex even if the married couple resides in a domestic or foreign jurisdiction that does not recognize the validity of same-sex marriages. The rules for using a married filing jointly or married filing separately status described in Q&A #2 apply to these married individuals.
Q4. Can a taxpayer’s same-sex spouse be a dependent of the taxpayer?
A4. No. A taxpayer’s spouse cannot be a dependent of the taxpayer.
Q5. Can a same-sex spouse file using head of household filing status?
A5. A taxpayer who is married cannot file using head of household filing status. However, a married taxpayer may be considered unmarried and may use the head-of-household filing status if the taxpayer lives apart from his or her spouse for the last 6 months of the taxable year and provides more than half the cost of maintaining a household that is the principal place of abode of the taxpayer’s dependent child for more than half of the year. See Publication 501 for more details.
Q6. If same-sex spouses (who file using the married filing separately status) have a child, which parent may claim the child as a dependent?
A6. If a child is a qualifying child under section 152(c) of both parents who are spouses (who file using the married filing separate status), either parent, but not both, may claim a dependency deduction for the qualifying child. If both parents claim a dependency deduction for the child on their income tax returns, the IRS will treat the child as the qualifying child of the parent with whom the child resides for the longer period of time during the taxable year. If the child resides with each parent for the same amount of time during the taxable year, the IRS will treat the child as the qualifying child of the parent with the higher adjusted gross income.
Q7. Can a taxpayer who is married to a person of the same sex claim the standard deduction if the taxpayer’s spouse itemized deductions?
A7. No. If a taxpayer’s spouse itemized his or her deductions, the taxpayer cannot claim the standard deduction (section 63(c)(6)(A)).
Q8. If a taxpayer adopts the child of his or her same-sex spouse as a second parent or co-parent, may the taxpayer (“adopting parent”) claim the adoption credit for the qualifying adoption expenses he or she pays or incurs to adopt the child?
A8. No. The adopting parent may not claim an adoption credit. A taxpayer may not claim an adoption credit for expenses incurred in adopting the child of the taxpayer’s spouse (section 23).
Q9. Do provisions of the federal tax law such as section 66 (treatment of community income) and section 469(i)(5) ($25,000 offset for passive activity losses for rental real estate activities) apply to same-sex spouses?
A9. Yes. Like other provisions of the federal tax law that apply to married taxpayers, section 66 and section 469(i)(5) apply to same-sex spouses because same-sex spouses are married for all federal tax purposes.
Q10. If an employer provided health coverage for an employee’s same-sex spouse and included the value of that coverage in the employee’s gross income, can the employee file an amended Form 1040 reflecting the employee’s status as a married individual to recover federal income tax paid on the value of the health coverage of the employee’s spouse?
A10. Yes, for all years for which the period of limitations for filing a claim for refund is open. Generally, a taxpayer may file a claim for refund for three years from the date the return was filed or two years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. If an employer provided health coverage for an employee’s same-sex spouse, the employee may claim a refund of income taxes paid on the value of coverage that would have been excluded from income had the employee’s spouse been recognized as the employee’s legal spouse for tax purposes. This claim for a refund generally would be made through the filing of an amended Form 1040. For information on filing an amended return, go to Tax Topic 308, Amended Returns, at http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc308.html. For a discussion regarding refunds of Social Security and Medicare taxes, see Q&A #12 and Q&A #13.
Example. Employer sponsors a group health plan covering eligible employees and their dependents and spouses (including same-sex spouses). Fifty percent of the cost of health coverage elected by employees is paid by Employer. Employee A was married to same-sex Spouse B at all times during 2012. Employee A elected coverage for Spouse B through Employer’s group health plan beginning Jan. 1, 2012. The value of the employer-funded portion of Spouse B’s health coverage was $250 per month.
The amount in Box 1, “Wages, tips, other compensation,” of the 2012 Form W-2 provided by Employer to Employee A included $3,000 ($250 per month x 12 months) of income reflecting the value of employer-funded health coverage provided to Spouse B. Employee A filed Form 1040 for the 2012 taxable year reflecting the Box 1 amount reported on Form W-2.
Employee A may file an amended Form 1040 for the 2012 taxable year excluding the value of Spouse B’s employer-funded health coverage ($3,000) from gross income.
A11. Yes, for all years for which the period of limitations for filing a claim for refund is open. Generally, a taxpayer may file a claim for refund for three years from the date the return was filed or two years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. If an employer sponsored a cafeteria plan under which an employee elected to pay for health coverage for the employee on a pre-tax basis, and if the employee purchased coverage on an after-tax basis for the employee’s same-sex spouse under the employer’s health plan, the employee may claim a refund of income taxes paid on the premiums for the coverage of the employee’s spouse. This claim for a refund generally would be made through the filing of an amended Form 1040. For information on filing an amended return, go to Tax Topic 308, Amended Returns, at http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc308.html. For a discussion regarding refunds of Social Security and Medicare taxes, see Q&A #12 and Q&A #13.
Example. Employer sponsors a group health plan as part of a cafeteria plan with a calendar year plan year. The full cost of spousal and dependent coverage is paid by the employees. In the open enrollment period for the 2012 plan year, Employee C elected to purchase self-only health coverage through salary reduction under Employer’s cafeteria plan. On March 1, 2012, Employee C was married to same-sex spouse D. Employee C purchased health coverage for Spouse D through Employer’s group health plan beginning March 1, 2012. The premium paid by Employee C for Spouse D’s health coverage was $500 per month.
The amount in Box 1, “Wages, tips, other compensation,” of the 2012 Form W-2 provided by Employer to Employee C included the $5,000 ($500 per month x 10 months) of premiums paid by Employee C for Spouse D’s health coverage. Employee C filed Form 1040 for the 2012 taxable year reflecting the Box 1 amount reported on Form W-2.
Employee C’s salary reduction election is treated as including the value of the same-sex spousal coverage purchased for Spouse D. Employee C may file an amended Form 1040 for the 2012 taxable year excluding the premiums paid for Spouse D’s health coverage ($5,000) from gross income.
A12. Yes. If the period of limitations for filing a claim for refund is open, the employer may claim a refund of, or make an adjustment for, any overpayment of Social Security taxes and Medicare taxes. The requirements for filing a claim for refund or for making an adjustment for an overpayment of the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes can be found in the Instructions for Form 941-X, Adjusted Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund. Notice 2013-61 provides special administrative procedures for employers to file claims for refunds or make adjustments for overpayments of Social Security taxes and Medicare taxes paid on same-sex spouse benefits.
Q13. In the situations described in Q&A #10 and Q&A #11, may the employer claim a refund or make an adjustment of income tax withholding that was withheld from the employee with respect to the benefits in prior years?
A13. No. Claims for refund of overwithheld income tax for prior years cannot be made by employers. The employee may file for any refund of income tax due for prior years on Form 1040X, provided the period of limitations for claiming a refund has not expired. See Q&A #10 and Q&A #11.
Employers may make adjustments for income tax withholding that was overwithheld from an employee in the current year provided the employer has repaid or reimbursed the employee for the overwithheld income tax before the end of the calendar year.
Q14. If an employer cannot locate a former employee with a same-sex spouse who received the benefits described in Q&A #10 and Q&A #11, may the employer still claim a refund of the employer portion of the Social Security and Medicare taxes on the benefits?
A14. Yes, if the employer makes reasonable attempts to locate an employee who received the benefits described in Q&A #10 and Q&A #11 that were treated as wages but the employer is unable to locate the employee, the employer can claim a refund of the employer portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes, but not the employee portion. Also, if an employee is notified and given the opportunity to participate in the claim for refund of Social Security and Medicare taxes but declines in writing, the employer can claim a refund of the employer portion of the taxes, but not the employee portion. Employers can use the special administrative procedure set forth in Notice 2013-61 to file these claims.
Q15. If a sole proprietor employs his or her same-sex spouse in his or her business, can the sole proprietor get a refund of Social Security, Medicare and FUTA taxes on the wages that the sole proprietor paid to the same-sex spouse as an employee in the business?
A15. Services performed by an employee in the employ of his or her spouse are excluded from the definition of employment for purposes of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA). Therefore, for all years for which the period of limitations is open, the sole proprietor can claim a refund of the FUTA tax paid on the compensation that the sole proprietor paid his or her same-sex spouse as an employee in the business. Services of a spouse are excluded from Social Security and Medicare taxes only if the services are not in the course of the employer's trade or business, or if it is domestic service in a private home of the employer.
Q16. What rules apply to qualified retirement plans pursuant to Rev. Rul. 2013-17?
A16. Qualified retirement plans are required to comply with the following rules pursuant to Rev. Rul. 2013-17:
- A qualified retirement plan must treat a same-sex spouse as a spouse for purposes of satisfying the federal tax laws relating to qualified retirement plans.
- For purposes of satisfying the federal tax laws relating to qualified retirement plans, a qualified retirement plan must recognize a same-sex marriage that was validly entered into in a jurisdiction whose laws authorize the marriage, even if the married couple lives in a domestic or foreign jurisdiction that does not recognize the validity of same-sex marriages.
- A person who is in a registered domestic partnership or civil union is not considered to be a spouse for purposes of applying the federal tax law requirements relating to qualified retirement plans, regardless of whether that person’s partner is of the opposite or same sex.
A17. The following are some examples of the consequences of these rules:
- Plan A, a qualified defined benefit plan, is maintained by Employer X, which operates only in a state that does not recognize same-sex marriages. Nonetheless, Plan A must treat a participant who is married to a spouse of the same sex under the laws of a different jurisdiction as married for purposes of applying the qualification requirements that relate to spouses.
- Plan B is a qualified defined contribution plan and provides that the participant’s account must be paid to the participant’s spouse upon the participant’s death unless the spouse consents to a different beneficiary. Plan B does not provide for any annuity forms of distribution. Plan B must pay this death benefit to the same-sex surviving spouse of any deceased participant. Plan B is not required to provide this death benefit to a surviving registered domestic partner of a deceased participant. However, Plan B is allowed to make a participant’s registered domestic partner the default beneficiary who will receive the death benefit unless the participant chooses a different beneficiary.
A18. Qualified retirement plans must comply with these rules as of Sept. 16, 2013. Although Rev. Rul. 2013-17 allows taxpayers to file amended returns that relate to prior periods in reliance on the rules in Rev. Rul. 2013-17 with respect to many matters, this rule does not extend to matters relating to qualified retirement plans. The IRS has not yet provided guidance regarding the application of Windsor and these rules to qualified retirement plans with respect to periods before Sept. 16, 2013.
Q19. Will the IRS issue further guidance on how qualified retirement plans and other tax-favored retirement arrangements must comply with Windsor and Rev. Rul. 2013-17?
A19. The IRS intends to issue further guidance on how qualified retirement plans and other tax-favored retirement arrangements must comply with Windsor and Rev. Rul. 2013-17. It is expected that future guidance will address the following, among other issues:
- Plan amendment requirements (including the timing of any required amendments).
- Any necessary corrections relating to plan operations for periods before future guidance is issued.
A20. Yes. Spouses that wholly own and operate an unincorporated business and that meet certain other requirements may avoid Federal partnership tax treatment by electing to be a Qualified Joint Venture. For more information on Qualified Joint Ventures, see the tax topic “Husband and Wife Business” at http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Husband-and-Wife-Business.
Q21. In the situations described in FAQ #10 and FAQ #11, may the employee claim a refund for the social security and Medicare taxes paid on the benefits if the employer will not?
A21. Yes. If the period of limitations for filing a claim for refund is open and the employee has not been reimbursed by the employer for the Social Security and Medicare taxes and has not authorized the employer to file a claim for refund of those taxes on his or her behalf, the employee may claim a refund. The employee should seek a refund of Social Security and Medicare taxes from his or her employer first. However, if the employer indicates an intention not to file a claim or adjust the overpaid Social Security and Medicare taxes, the employee may claim a refund of any overpayment of employee Social Security and Medicare taxes by filing Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement. The requirements for an employee filing a claim for refund of the employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes can be found in the Instructions for Form 843. Employees should write “Windsor Claim” in dark, bold letters across the top margin of Form 843.
Q22. Is an employer that repays or reimburses an employee on or before Dec. 31, 2013, for an overpayment of Social Security and Medicare taxes and income tax withholding with respect to same-sex spouse benefits provided in 2013 required to obtain a written statement from the employee confirming the employee did not make a claim for refund of the overcollected taxes (or the claim was rejected) and will not make any future claim for refund or credit of the overcollected taxes?
A22. No. An employer using the first special administrative procedure under Notice 2013-61 (i.e., employer repays or reimburses an employee for 2013 overpayments of taxes on or before Dec. 31, 2013, and corrects the overpayment on the fourth quarter 2013 Form 941) does not need to obtain the written statement from its employee with respect to the 2013 overpayments. However, an employer using the second special administrative procedure under Notice 2013-61 (i.e., employer does not repay or reimburse an employee for an overpayment of taxes on or before Dec. 31, 2013, and corrects the overpayment on a Form 941-X) is required to obtain such written statement from each affected employee.
Q23. If an individual employed his or her same-sex spouse to perform domestic (household) services in the individual’s private home, can the individual get a refund of Social Security, Medicare and FUTA taxes on wages that the individual paid to the spouse for such service? If so, which forms should the individual use to claim refunds?
A23. Yes, if the period of limitations for filing a claim for refund is open, the individual can get a refund of Social Security, Medicare and FUTA taxes paid on remuneration for domestic services in the individual’s private home that were performed by his or her same sex spouse as the individual’s employee. If the taxes for these services were reported on Schedule H (Form 1040), Household Employment Taxes, and taxes were paid in connection with the Form 1040, the individual should file an amended Form 1040 to claim refund of those taxes together with an amended Schedule H. For information on filing an amended return, go to Tax Topic 308, Amended Returns, at http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc308.html. If the Social Security and Medicare taxes for the domestic service were reported on Form 941, Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return, the individual employer can use Form 941-X, Adjusted Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund, to claim a refund of these taxes. The requirements for filing a claim for refund or making an adjustment of the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes can be found in the Instructions for Form 941-X. Notice 2013-61 provides special administrative procedures for employers to file claims for refunds or make adjustments for an overpayment of social security taxes and Medicare taxes on same-sex spouse benefits. If the FUTA taxes for the domestic service were reported on Form 940, Employer’s Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return, the individual employer can file an amended Form 940 for the prior year to obtain a refund. The previous year’s Form 940 should be used to claim a refund of FUTA taxes for that prior year. (Forms 940 for prior years may also be found at IRS.gov.)
Related Items:
- Forms and Publications
- IR-2013-72, Treasury and IRS Announce That All Legal Same-Sex Marriages Will Be Recognized For Federal Tax Purposes; Ruling Provides Certainty, Benefits and Protections Under Federal Tax Law for Same-Sex Married Couples
Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 20-Nov-2013
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