**News Update**

4/5/07 - Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) has introduced the "Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act" to the U.S. House of Representatives. Sens. Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) are expected to soon introduce a bipartisan, companion bill, the "Domestic Partner Health Benefits Equity Act," to the Senate.

• View the status of H.R. 1820

Overview

Under current federal law, people who take advantage of their company's domestic partner benefits receive tax penalties that married couples do not face. Health or other insurance for a domestic partner is considered additional income and may cause an unmarried employee to pay more taxes than a married employee receiving identical salary and benefits.

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and the Minnesota Workplace Alliance encourage you to take action and work for the passage of legislation that will end this inequality for LGBT or unmarried workers.

Watch the 12 minute overview presented by Jennifer Martin, PhD, in two parts:

Part 1

Part 2

History

In 2005, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Gordon Smith introduced the Domestic Partner Health Benefits Equity Act (S. 1360 in 2006). While the bill did not pass, we expect to see similar legislation introduced in 2007.

On January 25, Out & Equal and the Minnesota Workplace Alliance teamed up to present an infomative Town Call with Jennifer Martin, Ph.D., on the subject and launched a joint awareness campaign to educate and draw attention to benefits tax equity.

• Text of S. 1360 from 2006 [PDF 33KB]
• One-page summary [PDF 106KB]

Take Action

We suggest five key action steps you can do to help end this inequality in tax law!

1. Write or email your congressional officials
   The single most effective way to influence legislation is to let your elected officials know how you feel. Read our guide to writing your public officials about benefits tax equity.
2. Spread the word
   • Talk with your friends, family and other community members about how unfair current tax law is and encourage them to learn more.
   • Write letters to your local newspapers about how unfair taxation impacts you or your business.
3. Educate your business
   Current tax inequality doesn't just affect LGBT employees, it creates unnecessary burdens on accounting and HR departments in reporting income and benefits and it affects many unmarried employees seeking insurance for their partners. We are happy to provide tools you can use to educate your company ERG, HR department or executives.
   • Download our Microsoft Powerpoint presentation [PPT 252KB]
   • Download our Presentation as a PDF [PDF 182KB]
   • Request a copy of our 12 minute informational DVD [email Jere Keys or call (415) 694-6512]
4. Ask your business to include Benefits Tax Equity in their lobby efforts
   Most large corporations have government affairs offices which regularly speak with members of congress. Ask your business to show their support of diversity and equality by actively lobbying for benefits tax equity.
5. Encourage your business to join the Business Coalition for Benefits Tax Equity (a project of the Human Rights Campaign). For information, contact of Davis & Harman LLP at (202) 662-2294.
   • Download a fact sheet on the Business Coalition [PDF 20KB]
   • Download the registration form [PDF 3056KB]

Additional Resources

Jennifer F. Martin, Ph.D., Workplace Alliance Leadership [email]
Jennifer has been actively speaking out on benefits tax equity and has made numerous presentations on how the business community can be involved. As Employee Relations Manager for Best Buy Co., Inc., she feels strongly that employee and business engagement is important.

Liz Winfeld Common Ground Consulting [email | website]
Liz is a recognized expert in helping organizations implement domestic partner benefits’ plans. She’s been doing it since 1993 and is intently focused on ensuring that this next step in tax and fiscal equity is made available to all who qualify for DP Benefits.

The Workplace Alliance [website]
The Workplace Alliance is an association of Minnesota lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied employee networks working to cultivate inclusive workplace philosophies, policies, and practices.

Human Rights Campaign [website]
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality. They provide talking points and arguments in favor of benefits tax equity legislation, details about current legislation, and more.

For more information

If you would like additional information about our benefits tax equity awareness campaign or have questions, please email Jere Keys, Communications Manager, or call (415) 694-6512.

A joint project of: