ACLU Protests Tax Firm’s Lack of Online Help for Same-Sex Couples

Civil Rights

ACLU Protests Tax Firm’s Lack of Online Help for Same-Sex Couples

Posted Mar 27, 2008, 01:13 pm CDT
By Martha Neil

Same-sex couples have now been permitted to form civil unions in Connecticut for several years. But that doesn't mean that they can expect to have their tax returns prepared online by a major national company, like other legally recognized couples.

The American Civil Liberties Union is protesting the approach taken by H&R Block, which responded online to a couple's statement that they are members of a civil union and thus have a marriage-like status in Connecticut by saying the company's TaxCut software doesn't support such tax returns, reports a local NBC News affiliate. Thus, to complete their state tax return, Jason Smith and Settimo Piscu would have to visit a brick-and-mortar office and pay an additional $150.

"I was completely taken aback," says Smith, noting that he initially interpreted the company's statement, apparently intended simply to refer to its software, as "a moral or political statement" opposing civil unions.

The company is now reportedly evaluating other alternatives.

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Posted by J. - 5 months, 1 week, 4 days, 14 hours, 7 minutes ago

SO WHAT? Just go to a different company that will.

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