Feisty Aphrodite Archives
H&R Block Accused Of Charging Gay Couples More To File Taxes
The following is from 365Gay.com:
The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut wants H&R Block to modify its tax preparation system to allow gay couples in civil unions to file their state taxes online.
The ACLU is representing a Hartford couple that tried to file their Connecticut taxes using the company's online system in January, only to be told that the tax preparer's system couldn't accommodate civil unions.
A message said H&R Block's computer program doesn't “support Connecticut civil unions” and advised the couple to visit an H&R Block office or contact a professional by phone. But ACLU said that is discriminatory because it would be more time-consuming and cost the couple about $155 more to file their taxes.
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Messages were left seeking comment with a representative for Kansas City-based H&R Block Inc.
Under Connecticut law, gay and lesbian couples can enter into civil unions, which grant the same state rights and privileges as marriage. Since 2005, 1,846 couples have received civil union licenses in Connecticut, according to the state's Department of Public Health.
In a letter to H&R Block, ACLU attorney Rebecca Shore said the company's failure to support online filing for taxpayers in civil unions and the imposition of a higher fee “constitute clear discrimination” based on Connecticut's civil union statute.
Shore said it appears that married same-sex couples in neighboring Massachusetts can use the online tax filing program.
Read the entire article here.
