> I believe this is a reference to the (so-called) marriage penalty when filing one's income tax. Basically, if two people are married, they'll wind up owing more money than if they were able to file separately.
>
> About a year or so ago, I heard that there was some legislation pending about removing this marraige penalty over the course of ten years. I don't know if it was ever passed.
>
> -FP

Now, this confuses me. This year, Darien and I were eligible to file separately or jointly, since we got married during the year. I figured it out both ways, and we got much *more* money back by filing jointly.

Also, the front of my 1040A instruction booklet says very specifically that in almost all cases, filing as "married filing jointly" will give you a bigger refund or make you owe less tax.

Maybe they spring this penalty on you after a couple years. Or maybe we're just already so poor we didn't notice. :-}

~Mina "anxiously awaiting her refund" moon