Minn. married same-sex couples file first income taxes

St. Louis Park, Minn.

March 3, 2014 7:14 PM

Lee Roehl and dog Baxter — Income tax specialist Lee Roehl, of ROR Tax Professionals in St. Louis Park, works on returns with his dog Baxter "who's good on the ten key." Roehl and his firm have already prepared 100 returns for same-sex couples who got married legally in 2013. Their status will affect how they file both state and federal tax returns.
Tom Crann / MPR News

This will be the first year that Minnesota same-sex couples will be able to file both federal and state income taxes as legally married couples.

Tax specialist Lee Roehl of of ROR Tax Professionals in St. Louis Park, said most couples will have to pay more now that they're married, whether filing jointly or separately, than they did as separate individuals.

But Roehl says it's worth the extra cost.

"The big change is not necessarily the tax, but the outcome of being married," Roehl said. "Unlimited gifting, estate tax issues, children and keeping them legally protected. There are many more important issues than income tax."

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