District Court Rules That Same-Sex Married Couples May File Joint Returns.

The article reports on the ruling of a federal district court in Massachusetts to allow same-sex married couples to file joint returns. It notes that in Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, the judge ruled that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional and is in violation of the equal protection principles of the Due Process clause of the Fifth Amendment. It adds that the judge held that the denial of benefits to such couples lacks basis. The case at issue has been turned over to the Justice Department.