Missouri Same-Sex Couples Can File Joint Returns

Same-sex couples legally married in other states can now file joint returns in Missouri.

Governor Jay Nixon cited the need to follow federal tax law for this change and will issue an executive order telling the Missouri Department of Revenue to accept joint state tax returns from same-sex couples.

Nixon’s decision drew the ire of the Republicans, who control the Missouri House and Senate.  They claim Nixon, a Democrat, was going against voters’ will because voters passed a constitutional amendment in 2004 that defined marriage as between a man and woman.  Nixon said he would like to take another vote on recognizing same-sex marriages.

See Joe Harris, Another First for Same-Sex Marriages, Courthouse News Service, Nov. 18, 2013.