\-\-\--Original Message\-\-\-\--

From: Edward Mather
\[[[mailto:emather@bergen.edu]{.underline}](mailto:emather@bergen.edu)\]

Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 1:12 PM

To: comments

Cc: field@hrc.org

Subject: Tax Reform and GLBT Families

To: Tax Reform Panel

As the Tax Reform Panel considers options to reform the tax code, I
would appreciate correction of tax codes which are unfair to GLBT
families.

As a same-sex registered domestic partner (under the New Jersey domestic
partner legislation), the following are some of the tax inequities which
concern me personally. Undoubtedly, there are other inequities of which
I am not aware or which affect other GLBT families.

1\) I must pay taxes on my partner\'s health insurance provided by my
employer

2\) My retirement benefits for my partner are taxed higher than a
married couple

3\) My partner and I do not receive the inheritance/estate marital
exclusion available to heterosexual married couples (though, with the
recently passed New Jersey domestic partner legislation, we do enjoy the
marital exclusion for the New Jersey inheritance/estate tax)

Please note that my partner, Bob, and I have been together for 36 years,
and we do not enjoy the same tax benefits granted to a heterosexual
couple on the day they marry.

While we are grateful that New Jersey\'s domestic partnership
legislation has provided us with limited benefits, we continue to press
for the right to marry in order to receive all the benefits afforded to
heterosexual married couples and families. Until same-sex marriage (or a
national civil union) becomes reality, we encourage the Tax Reform Panel
to consider the tax inequities to GLBT families as they review the
current tax code.

Thank you for your consideration,

Edward G. Mather

20 Woodruff Road

Convent Station, NJ 07960

March 14, 2005

To: Tax Reform Panel

As the Tax Reform Panel considers options to reform the tax code, I
would appreciate your attention to correcting tax codes which are unfair
to GLBT families.

As a same-sex registered domestic partner (under the New Jersey domestic
partner legislation), the following are some of the tax inequities which
concern me personally. Undoubtedly there are other inequities of which I
am not aware which affect me and other GLBT families.

-   I must pay taxes on my partner\'s health insurance provided by my
    employer

-   My retirement benefits for my partner are taxed higher than a
    married couple

-   My partner and I do not receive the inheritance/estate marital
    exclusion available to heterosexual married couples (though, with
    the recently passed New Jersey domestic partner legislation, we do
    enjoy the marital exclusion for the New Jersey inheritance/estate
    tax)

Please note that my partner, Bob, and I have been together for 36 years,
and we do not enjoy the same tax benefits granted to heterosexual
couples on the day they marry.

While we are grateful that New Jersey\'s domestic partnership
legislation has provided us with limited benefits, we continue to press
for the right to marry in order to receive all the benefits afforded to
heterosexual married couples and families. Until same-sex marriage (or a
national civil union) becomes reality, I encourage the Tax Reform Panel
to consider the tax inequities to GLBT families as they review the
current tax code and to take steps to rectify these inequities.

Thank you,

Edward G. Mather

20 Woodruff Road

Convent Station, NJ 07960

\-\-\-\--Original Message\-\-\-\--

From: Edward Mather
\[[mailto:emather@bergen.edu](mailto:emather@bergen.edu)\]

Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 1:24 PM

To: comments

Cc: field@hrc.org

Subject: Reforming the Tax Code

I would appreciate your taking the time to read and consider the
attached letter regarding the unfairness of taxation laws to GLBT
families.

Thank you,

Edward G. Mather