Chris Christie on Friday vetoed a bill that would allow same-sex couples to wed

[VBRonPaulFan]

Does a men's restroom provide tax benefits, power of attorney, hospital visitation rights? Or is it basically the same as a women's restroom?

i've seen the tax benefits thing thrown around a couple of times, and I can't think of a single tax break that applies specifically to married couples. there are a few things that you're specifically not allowed to take if you file married filing separately, but you get no bonus for filing jointly. all filing jointly does is let you combine your standard deductions and double the limits for certain things over a single filing status. the tax brackets aren't even as good for joint families (the top of the 25% rate isn't double the top of the single bracket)... so you fall into a higher tax bracket sooner.

am i missing something? or is this just a talking point that people like to use?

 

[kylejack]

i've seen the tax benefits thing thrown around a couple of times, and I can't think of a single tax break that applies specifically to married couples

They are different brackets.

Tax Brackets 2011 Single | Married Filing Jointly
10% Bracket $0 – $8,500 | $0 – $17,000
15% Bracket $8,500 – $34,500 | $17,000 – $69,000
25% Bracket $34,500 – $83,600 | $69,000 – $139,350
28% Bracket $83,600 – $174,400 | $139,350 – $212,300
33% Bracket $174,400 – $379,150 | $212,300 – $379,150
35% Bracket $379,150+ | $379,150+

the tax brackets aren't even as good for joint families (the top of the 25% rate isn't double the top of the single bracket)... so you fall into a higher tax bracket sooner.

Filing joint helps some who are married, and not others. It depends how much money they make, but they have the choice, that's the important part.

If you want an example, what if spouse 1 makes $60K and spouse 2 makes 0? Filing individual, one is taxed at the 25% rate on the top portion of his/her income and the other is taxed nothing. Filing joint, they're taxed no higher than 15% on top portion of income.

 

[VBRonPaulFan]

you don't have a choice if you're married. you either file joint or separate, and you get screwed filing separately.

8500 * 2 = 17000
34500 * 2 = 69000
83600 * 2 = 167200 > 139350 = that's where joint couples start to get shafted.

the only way it is beneficial for a couple is if it's a one income family. if they both have jobs, chances are they'd be better off filing single.

 

[Brett85]

Does a men's restroom provide tax benefits, power of attorney, hospital visitation rights? Or is it basically the same as a women's restroom?

Nope. Women's restrooms don't have urinals. Women's rights are being violated because they don't have urinals in their restrooms.

 

[kylejack]

Nope. Women's restrooms don't have urinals. Women's rights are being violated because they don't have urinals in their restrooms.

Not really seeing the functional utility there.

 

[kylejack]

the only way it is beneficial for a couple is if it's a one income family. if they both have jobs, chances are they'd be better off filing single.

Note that's the example I provided.

 

[VBRonPaulFan]

Note that's the example I provided.

note that if that is the only tax 'benefit' you can list.... there really aren't tax benefits that married couples have over homosexual couples. generally they'd be better off staying single or filing HOH if they had a kid.

 

[otherone]

Libertarianism is a big tent! From Timothy Leary to Ted Kaczynski!

 

[kylejack]

note that if that is the only tax 'benefit' you can list.... there really aren't tax benefits that married couples have over homosexual couples. generally they'd be better off staying single or filing HOH if they had a kid.

Who cares about 'generally'? We are all individuals. We should each have the same individual rights. Marriage provides tax benefits to some, depending on income. That potential tax benefit should be available to all without regard to sexuality.

Or maybe we should generally follow habeas corpus, or generally allow people to exercise their First Amendment rights.

 

[Danke]

Yes, but you see this thread was/is specifically about NJ. In NJ, gays with their civil unions have the exact same legal status and privileges as any married couples.

I still see nothing in this for me and my sisters...

 

[VBRonPaulFan]

Who cares about 'generally'? We are all individuals. We should each have the same individual rights. Marriage provides tax benefits to some, depending on income. That potential tax benefit should be available to all without regard to sexuality.

Or maybe we should generally follow habeas corpus, or generally allow people to exercise their First Amendment rights.

i'm glad you're starting to see it my way. tax returns should be individually based, but joint filing couples get no benefit that homosexual couples dont get. name one credit/deduction/exemption that a joint couple can claim that a homosexual couple cant. don't throw stuff out if you can't back it up.

 

[Cabal]

Then have fun in your make-believe world where government doesn't exist.

Sure thing. And you have fun in your make-believe world where the State 'respects' and 'protects' your rights--just because you believe them when they call it rain doesn't mean they're not actually pissing all over your face.