Franchot

Responding to the a report this morning in the Washington Times saying otherwise, Maryland State Comptroller Peter Franchot clarified today that same-sex couples will in fact be able to file joint tax returns, reports WTOP.

“This will occur either as a result of a legislative action, or if necessary, a regulatory change, either of which is necessary because Maryland’s tax code is conjoined to the IRS unless specifically decoupled. My senior staff and I will work with legislative leaders over the next few weeks to determine the most appropriate course of action,” said Franchot in a statement issued by his office.

This problem has arisen in other jurisdictions in the past. In 2005, D.C. clarified that it would allow same-sex couples legally married in Massachusetts to file joint tax returns in the city. In 2009, ahead of a vote in which the D.C. Council legalized same-sex marriage, the council approved legislation that allowed same-sex couples to file jointly.