Missouri to Accept Tax Returns from Legally Married Gay Couples

Though the state itself still doesn't recognize same-sex marriage

Same-sex couples who are legally married in other states can now file joint state tax returns in Missouri, Gov. Jay Nixon said today.

Nixon said he was making the change because state tax law is linked to federal tax law.

After the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated part of the Defense of Marriage Act, the IRS ruled that legally married same-sex couples will be treated as married for federal tax purposes, no matter where they live.

At a news conference in his Capitol office, Nixon told reporters he will issue an executive order today telling the Missouri Department of Revenue to accept the couples' joint state returns if they file joint federal returns.