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Tax company accused of discrimination
Gay couple sue US tax company for discrimination
"The civil union law has been in effect for nearly three years now, yet companies still arenââ¬â¢t taking it seriously"
After it surfaced that their online services did not recognize legal civil unions, the company has said they are “evaluating alternatives.”
A gay couple from Connecticut, Jason Smith and Settimo Piscu tried to use their ‘tax cut’ service as a legally bounding couple but a message informed them: “We don’t support Connecticut civil union returns.”
They were advised through the website that the couple would have to work with one of their professionals in person or at one of their locations which is not only more time consuming but is more expensive. It would cost this couple an additional $150 (£75) which other couples do not have to pay.
As a result the American Civil Liberties Union is now representing the couple as civil unions for gay and lesbians was made legal in Connecticut in October 2005.
"I was completely taken aback," Mr Smith told NBC News.
"First of all the fact that they said 'we don't support the returns.'
"I initially interpreted as moral or political statement.
"It just shouldn't cost any more for any other couple in similar circumstances."
"The civil union law has been in effect for nearly three years now, yet companies still aren’t taking it seriously," said Andrew Schneider of the ACLU of Connecticut.
"There is no excusable reason why the company that likes to claim it's the world's largest tax services provider shouldn't make its products available to everyone."
Despite the online service being unable to process civil unions appropriately, the tax requirements civil union couples in Connecticut are very close to those requirements for married gay couples in Massachusetts. However H & R Block online service in Massachusetts does recognize married gay couples.
The company which has had about a £2bn turnover in 2007 has released a statement since ACLU’s involvement in the case.
"We are evaluating alternatives to add domestic partner support to our tax cut online programs in the future," the company said in a statement.
"Please be assured that H&R Block values all of its clients and is committed to serving all clients fairly."
"Indignities like these are a constant reminder there is no substitution for marriage," said Rebecca Shore, an attorney with the ACLU's Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project.
"Nothing can replace the dignity and universal recognition that comes automatically when you get to say we're married.
"In Connecticut, gay couples still can't do that."
