Whitewood vs. Wolf – Historic Victory for Civil Rights in Pennsylvania

Whitewood vs. Wolf represents an historic victory for civil rights in Pennsylvania. Now Pennsylvania same-sex couples can get married in Pennsylvania and not only enjoy all the traditional benefits of marriage, but also the financial benefits of marriage.

Windsor gave all same-sex married couples the unlimited marital deduction for federal estate tax purposes. Revenue Ruling 2013-17 gave all same-sex couples equal income tax treatment. Whitewood gives PA same-sex couples the right to marry in PA and have their out-of-state legal marriage recognized in PA.

From an economic standpoint, social security spousal benefits which can easily be hundreds of thousands of dollars over time, is a new economic right for same-sex married couples. Marital equality is economic justice.

– James Lange
CPA / Attorney