HARTFORD, Conn. -- A couple claimed on Tuesday that they could not do their taxes together online because they are gay.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut has come to their defense, NBC 30 News reported, demanding that H & R Block change things.
The couple, Jason Smith and Settimo Piscu, said they went online to H & R Block's Web site, but said they were quickly reminded that a civil union was not the same as a marriage. The couple said they were using H & R Block's online program called TaxCut. When they checked the box saying they were considered married under Connecticut's civil union law, they said a screen popped up saying that TaxCut did not support Connecticut civil union returns.
"I was completely taken aback," Smith Said. "(It was) initially interpreted it as a moral or political statement."
Smith read on to find that to finish his state tax return, he'd have to contact an H & R Block accountant, and that would cost $150 more than filing online.
"It just shouldn't cost any more for any other couple in similar circumstances," Smith said.
The couple contacted the ACLU, which sent a letter to H & R Block demanding that the company update its software to allow civil union returns.
"It's clear this is one more example of how civil unions are not an adequate substitute for marriage," said ACLU Executive Director Andrew Schneider
H & R Block responded to the ACLU's letter with a statement that read in part, "We are evaluating alternatives to add Domestic Partner support to our TaxCut Online programs in the future. Please be assured that H&R Block values all of its clients and is committed to serving all clients fairly."
Smith and Piscu, who were united in a civil union two years ago, said this is just another way they want to be treated like any other married couple.
"We have a family, we want to have kids," Piscu said. "(We want to be) part of the community and want to be treated that way."
With three weeks until the tax deadline, Smith and Piscu still have not finished their taxes, but said they would get them done without the help of H & R Block.
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