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I require no proof of marriage if they say they are married they are. My problem is married people saying they are not married. Every year I have people who have filed as unmarried come in when they go to do something and now need a return MFJ . Most of the time we have done only one of their returns.

I agree with MDEA - it is usually married people telling me they are single I have a problem with but I don't know how to get someone to prove a negative. If we originally had them as married, I could ask to see their divorce papers but we had one gentleman that I did his return for 10 years filing him as single, his previous preparer had filed him as single on the return that I saw when we started with him, and then he came in and asked me to notarized some paperwork for another state because he was getting divorced. To me that is a much bigger problem.

Why would you not treat the couple as you would any heterosexual couple on these points? Whatever your firm's policy is for documentation, that is what you should follow. If the couple says they are married, why wouldn't you accept that? Don't you accept their word from "straight" couples? The State of MD has recognized same sex marriages for the last 2 1/2 years, so I am assuming you haven't had any of these returns to prepare yet. The partners' change of names is a matter of choice, and in some states has been difficult for one or both to change names. It is a matter of state law at this point about the limitations on name changes. If the state allows, they may each retain their existing names just as some heterosexual couples do also, one may choose to take the name of his or her spouse, they may both decide to change names to a hyphenated version of both names, or they may decide on an entirely new name that establishes an identity of their family. Really, I'd just ask them like you would any other newly married couple if they've notified the SSA of any name change and if the SS cards you are presented accurately reflects their current names since being married. You might also consider asking if they have a preference about whose name appears as the primary name on the returns.

I never say "emolument" when I can say "compensation." That's because I eschew obfuscation.

Oh, did people like the scolding of Soup Nazi better? I was going for a softer image. Maybe I should have gone with a picture of one of my roses, you know, with the prickly thorns on the stem.

jklcpa ATX Supreme GuruSure, just confuse me --- not on the UN tax things but on going incognito with a new avatar....

No end to what the human mind can imagine, and then someone can build, is there? Bet there will be a $499 version within a year, and a $199 home version in three years!

I am totally ignorant in this area, just want to say how great this group is. No matter what exotic question comes up, someone always seems to come forward with an answer, or at least a direction in which to look for an answer. Just want to thank you all, I've learned a lot, myself, and I know I'm not the only one.

Po-tay-to po-tah-to