Modern Family and LGBTQ
Tax Consulting & Financial Planning

In the last few years, remarkable changes have occurred in state and federal laws to more inclusively recognize non-traditional relationships and family structures. From legalizing same-sex marriage, to making it easier to include all your loved ones in estate planning and health insurance plans, the law is beginning to catch up with societal norms. To most, these changes are new and those affected can benefit from expert guidance navigating the confusing laws that now protect and include them…especially those in the tax code.

The Tax Warriors^® at Drucker & Scaccetti were among the first accounting firms to develop a group dedicated to the needs of the modern family and LGBTQ community. A multiple award-winning staff of tax advisors and financial planners are here to help apply the most tax-efficient financial strategies for you, your family and your business. Whether you are married, or choose not to be; whether you have children naturally, via a surrogate, or adopt; whether you know how the tax law benefits you or not; or if you are just more comfortable doing business with an ally and professionals in the community, know that our highly respected tax and financial strategists are here to help, and have years of experience in this specific area.  We understand that providing and planning for your family and your business are universal desires, no matter who you are.

Below is a summary of some services we provide and well as various resources about the latest-breaking issues relating to the LGBTQ community and their families.

• Analysis of economic impact of marriage
• Tax Compliance (including amended returns, protective refund claims and determination of proper filing status going forward)
• Tax Consulting & Projections
• Estate Planning
• Review of state domicile/residency and related tax affect
• Periodic review and refinement of financial objectives
• Investment record keeping and reporting
• Assistance securing mortgages or refinancing

RESOURCES

From the Tax Warrior Chronicles:

• Road Map to Quick LGBTQ Filing Tips 2-18-16
• Treatment of Imputed Income in the Year of Marriage - The (Not So) Definitive Answer 7-9-15
• SUPREME COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE. Read the ruling.
• DOL Revises Definition of Spouse Under FMLA to Include Same-Sex Married Couples 2-24-15
• SCOTUS to Rule on Same-Sex Marriage Bans 01-16-15
• 12/31/14 DEADLINE: Employers Must Amend Retirement Plans to Reflect Windsor Decision 12-9-14
• How to Treat Same-sex Spouse Health Premiums Wrongly Included in W-2 Income 7-9-14
• 20 States and Counting! Windsor - A Year in Review
• Judge Strikes Down PA Ban on Same-Sex Marriage. Reduces Tax Inequality and Complexity 5-21-14
• LGBT Marriage & Taxes - Imputed Income for Partner Health Benefit - 3/27/2014
• LGBT Marriage & Taxes - Tie the Knot or Finalize the Adoption First? 3/19/14
• LGBT Marriage & Taxes - Who Should Claim the Kids? - Possible Tax Refund Opportunity for LGBT Parents Not Legally Married - 3/13/14
• FAQs Clarify Payroll-related Issues for Same-sex Married Couples - 12/18/13
• Clock Ticking for Some Married Same-Sex Couples to File as Single for 2012 and Possibly Save $$$ - 9/5/2013
• IRS to Recognize All Legal Same-Sex Marriages - 8/29/13
• Tax Opportunities & Pitfalls Relating to Supreme Court DOMA Ruling – 6/26/2013
• NY Releases Guidance on Estate Taxes in Light of Supreme Court's Windsor Ruling - 7/27/13
• IRS Defers to Defense of Marriage Act for Same-Sex Couples – 10/11/12

From Drucker & Scaccetti:

• Top List Tuesday: 9 Documents LGBTQ Couples Should Have 5-12-2015 (Tagg Magazine, Roz Sutch)
• PGN Article on Economics of Same-Sex Marriage 3-6-15
• Tagg Magazine 11 Tax Tips the LGBTQ Community Should Know 3-17-15 (Tagg Magazine, Roz Sutch)
• Roz Sutch interviewed on WHYY/NPR radio show discussing tax filing confusion for Pennsylvania's same-sex married couples. 4-14-14
• Roz Sutch featured on KYW CBS News Radio discussing state tax issues for same-sex married couples in PA 2-21-14

From Other Sources:

• Tax Tips for LGBTQ Couples from Credit Karma (November 2019)
• LGBTQ Community - Take Pride in Your Finances - By PolicyGenius (June 2017)
• PA Department of Revenue Policy Concerning Same-Sex Marriage for Inheritance and Realty Transfer Tax Purposes
• "Marriage Equality in Pennsylvania - What Does It Mean for Same-sex Married Couples?" by Rosalind Sutch, CPA, MT and William C. Hussey, II, Esq. (September 2014)
• Whether to Wed: A Legal and Tax Guide for Gay and Lesbian Couples - by Scott Squillace, Esq.
• Attorney Angela Giampolo interviewed on WHYY/NPR radio discussing the legalization of same-sex marriage in PA. 5-28-14
• Marriage Now in PA - What's Next for Us? FAQ from Giampolo Law Group
• History of Whitewood v. Wolf case, which ended PA's Ban on Same-Sex Marriage - ACLU 
• Married Gay Couple Find Equality Taxing - (WSJ.com Account Required)
• IRS Answers to FAQ for Married Same-Sex Couples
• After DOMA: Federal Taxes - Lambda Legal
• Revenue Ruling 2013-17 -prospectively applied as of 9/16/13
• Tax Policy Center - Marriage Bonus and Penalty Calculator
• Potential Federal Tax Implications of US vs. Windsor - CRS 7/18/13
• US v. Windsor - SCOTUS Ruling on DOMA
• City of Philadelphia News & Alerts: Mayor Nutter Signs Bill on LGBTQ Rights 5/10/13
• City of Philadelphia Bill No 130224 (LGBT Equality Bill) 
• GAO Report on Defense of Marriage Act - 198 Internal Revenue Code Provisions Tied to Marital Status - 1/23/04 
• Angela D. Giampolo Blog - phillygaylawyer.com

EVENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:

Need an expert to speak on LGBTQ tax & financial planning issues? Book Rosalind Sutch, CPA, MT, D&S Modern Family and LGBTQ Tax Consulting & Financial Planning practice leader, for your next client-focused event, webinar or conference.