And in this case they should, this boomer says. The basic flaw in the current system is so absurd that something must be done. Such households often pay more federal income tax married than if the two earners had remained single and just moved in together. Those are not petty differences. But this is the tax code.
Nothing is simple.
That excuse may not be around much longer though. There's strong support among members of both parties in Congress to at least reduce the marriage penalty. But to wipe out the penalty for all requires a bigger change. Treating married couples as singles for tax purposes, with each claiming half of household income, is the way to do it. For now, lovers with similar incomes should take a hard look at the tax bill they would pay for wedded bliss.