Should I prepare a same-sex couple's taxes?

[Della]

It seems to me this is a question of the degree of your cooperation with evil. I’m more familiar with the concept of cooperation when it comes to supporting something by means of payment. In this case you are the one being paid. Every one of your clients is a sinner. You are not advocating or advancing their sin by merely doing their taxes. I would think it would be perfectly fine to do their taxes.

Indeed.

You say that derisively but it is the Evangelicals who actually oppose same sex marriage. A majority of Catholics support it. I don’t think the analogy is useful.

I had no tone of voice in mind when I posted my statement. I simply related the facts of the matter. Having once been on the Evangelical side of Christianity, I understand where they are coming from. I don’t agree with their logic, but I would never deride someone for obeying his conscience.

Why should a restaurant owner feel obliged to feed a same sex couple? The only way you’d know they are a same sex couple is if they behaved in a manner that revealed their relationship was in some way erotic. If I owned a restaurant and a same sex couple wanted to eat there and demonstrate their relationship I would turn them away. But even if they didn’t act in such a way I could still see refusing to serve them. If an adulterous couple came into a restaurant I owned I’d turn them away. We’ve come a long way from the world we used to live in where hotels would not rent rooms to unmarried couples.

Business owners who serve the public aren’t in business to send customers away, but to the attract them. Passing moral judgment on paying customers isn’t the business of business. We’d have the right to ask them to leave our establishment if they decided to make out in the store, be they heterosexual or homosexual. But to guess whether or not a couple deserves service is not a moral act but a judgmental one.

Catholic teaching is that we love the sinner not the sin. We cannot love them by telling them we will not serve them. Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors. Why? To show them God’s love and to serve them in their need. We need to do the same.

As to government’s respose to owners refusing service, it should not be to order them to take “sensitivity” classes, either. Changing someone’s perception of others is not the business of government but of personal ethics and/or religion.

 

[exnihilo]

I had no tone of voice in mind when I posted my statement. I simply related the facts of the matter. Having once been on the Evangelical side of Christianity, I understand where they are coming from. I don’t agree with their logic, but I would never deride someone for obeying his conscience.

You are right. I apologize for saying derisive. And you are correct the Evangelicals often have a different approach.

Catholic teaching is that we love the sinner not the sin. We cannot love them by telling them we will not serve them. Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors. Why? To show them God’s love and to serve them in their need. We need to do the same.

I agree with this of course. But, there also is the need for prudence. Jesus ate with the sinners and tax collectors but he also said to treat one who does not listen to the church as a tax collector. Is there no place for social pressure? It seems to me we have experimented with a culture with no social pressure and it hasn’t brought more folks to holiness.

 

[Della]

You are right. I apologize for saying derisive.

:tiphat:

And you are correct the Evangelicals often have a different approach.

Yes, they believe that serving overt sinners taints their witness to Christ. I disagree, but that’s how they see it.

I agree with this of course. But, there also is the need for prudence. Jesus ate with the sinners and tax collectors but he also said to treat one who does not listen to the church as a tax collector. Is there no place for social pressure? It seems to me we have experimented with a culture with no social pressure and it hasn’t brought more folks to holiness.

Well, that’s the rub, isn’t it? How do we influence social pressure back to prudence and common sense when society has morally gone so far downhill? I’m not sure we’ll see a reversal of that kind in our life time, sad to say. Still, we need to gently and with love help steer society back in that direction–but for the right reasons/in the right way. Not just so we can determine who is decent and who isn’t but so we can live in peace and security with one another. The more a society lets go of its moral base the more violent and intolerant it becomes. Unfortunately, most can’t see that that’s true–and won’t until it comes to a head with persecution of the just merely for being just.

 

[Robert_Sock]

In between real jobs, I am preparing tax returns at a large firm. Now that same-sex marriage is legal in my state, I may be asked to do tax returns for a same-sex couple. If I refuse, I will be fired (this has already happened at this company, albeit in another state.) I thought I would be perfectly fine with this, saying to myself, it’s what the IRS and the state allow. But then… people object to providing flowers and cakes and … for same-sex weddings. So I have doubt. If it is okay to do a tax return for a same-sex couple, then why not provide flowers, cakes. for such weddings?
I do know that if such a couple comes in, I would certainly be friendly and respectful. I certainly can’t be judgmental as I have prepared tax returns for people who are living together without being married.

How would you like it if a gay person refused to fill out taxes for you and your wife?

 

[exnihilo]

Yes, they believe that serving overt sinners taints their witness to Christ. I disagree, but that’s how they see it.

Just the other day an older Baptist minister told me how when he was younger he made the mistake of eating in a restaurant that sold alcohol. He was new to the church he served and the town. His lack of knowledge saved him but this was certainly not looked upon as good. Merely eating at a restaurant that serves alcohol can cause scandal among some. I too disagree with that thinking but it is prevalent.

Well, that’s the rub, isn’t it? How do we influence social pressure back to prudence and common sense when society has morally gone so far downhill? I’m not sure we’ll see a reversal of that kind in our life time, sad to say. Still, we need to gently and with love help steer society back in that direction–but for the right reasons/in the right way. Not just so we can determine who is decent and who isn’t but so we can live in peace and security with one another. The more a society lets go of its moral base the more violent and intolerant it becomes. Unfortunately, most can’t see that that’s true–and won’t until it comes to a head with persecution of the just merely for being just.

Oh, the future is not bright that is certain. We should all pray to be good witnesses to the truth with charity.

 

[on_the_hill]

No. Everyone should refuse all service to anyone who’s ever sinned.

That’s always been *my *policy.

 

[teeboy]

I’d say yes. Prepare the taxes. However, I wouldn’t necessarialy want to be in their presence as they are unclean.

 

[on_the_hill]

I’d say yes. Prepare the taxes. However, I wouldn’t necessarialy want to be in their presence as they are unclean.

Luckily, you wouldn’t have to. They’re supposed to clang a gong and call, "Unclean! Unclean!’ wherever they go.

 

[teeboy]

Luckily, you wouldn’t have to. They’re supposed to clang a gong and call, "Unclean! Unclean!’ wherever they go.

They give me the creeps, but I am nice to them for the short while I find myself in their presence. I hope they all smell the coffee and change their behavior.

 

[Forkfoot]

They give me the creeps, but I am nice to them for the short while I find myself in their presence. I hope they all smell the coffee and change their behavior.

Must be hard to show Christ’s love to people who give you the creeps. Maybe you should work on that.

 

[KnittingFoole]

I have a question about something similar…but different.

I work in a pack/ship/bill pay/all kinds of stuff type store. The owner is a notary, and so I am. Same sex “marriage” just became legal in our state. The owner has been doing civil ceremonies for heterosexual couples for a while now, and she usually goes out to where they want the ceremony, not at our store. I don’t do civil marriages at all, same sex or not. But, today, she started doing civil ceremonies for same sex partners IN OUR STORE. I have explained to her why, as a Catholic, I do not support same sex “marriage.” She asked me to be a witness. I refused. I think she was mad. I am not comfortable at all working here now as this is going to be a part of my job in some respects. I didn’t have to witness the ceremony (she did it in her office) but I do have to take the payments and give the couples copies of their vows and get contact info and such. I am pretty sure, as we don’t have but two employees, that there will come a time when it will be just her and me in the store and I will be asked to be a witness and will be the only thing standing in the way of the ceremony. I am not looking forward to this situation. As a matter of interest, the courthouse in our town, citing financial reasons, stopped doing civil ceremonies. You can still get your marriage license, you just can’t get married.

So…how far can she force me into participating? Taking payment for these services would seem to me to be tacit approval of same sex marriage? Of course, if I worked at Wal Mart or somesuch I would have to sell condoms and the like and I don’t think that would be formal cooperation with evil…but this is not large corporation like Wal Mart, it is just a mom and pop with two employees and the boss and her husband.

I am not comfortable at all with this, but if I quit or am fired, I am likely to be out of work for a long time in this small backwater town.

 

[on_the_hill]

Of course, if I worked at Wal Mart or somesuch I would have to sell condoms and the like and I don’t think that would be formal cooperation with evil…but this is not large corporation like Wal Mart, it is just a mom and pop with two employees and the boss and her husband.
.

Walmart is a different situation. A cashier is simply ringing up a sale.

But it’s a whole different kettle of fish if you’re acting as a witness to a ceremony.

I’m all in favor if someone wants to do a gay couple’s taxes, or sell them a car, or repair their roof. You can do that stuff without taking any ‘stand’ on their relationship.

However–as moderate and understanding and compassionate as I try to be in life–there’s no way I would act as witness to a gay marriage ceremony. The boss is asking too much of you. That’s a different level of service.

Maybe the store policy could be, “BYOW” Bring Your Own Witness.

The other thing is–how long have you worked there? It might be less easy than you think for the boss to replace you.

 

[KnittingFoole]

I have worked here for over 5 years. She wants me to buy the store. That would put me in another kettle of fish, so to speak, and I could wind up like the bakery that didn’t want to bake a gay couple a wedding cake, even though she referred them to someone else who would, she got sued. I am not going that route.

It would be difficult for her to replace me…but if I stand in the way of her making a buck because of my religious views…well, Florida is a Right To Work state and I’m not sure what my rights are. I guess that’s the next avenue of research.

I want to be compassionate too. But I have to stand up for the Catholic faith which I have embraced.

 

[Della]

I don’t see how she can require you to violate your conscience, and I like the BTOW idea on_the_hill suggested–something for you to discuss with your bosses. If you buy the store you could simply no longer offer license services to anyone. That way no one can accuse you of discrimination. I hope it all works out for you. These are difficult times for people of faith and I feel sure most of us will have to take stands like yours. God is with us, but we may have to suffer some earthly losses in order to remain faithful. You have my prayers.

 

[Boy_Wonder]

In between real jobs, I am preparing tax returns at a large firm. Now that same-sex marriage is legal in my state, I may be asked to do tax returns for a same-sex couple. If I refuse, I will be fired (this has already happened at this company, albeit in another state.) I thought I would be perfectly fine with this, saying to myself, it’s what the IRS and the state allow. But then… people object to providing flowers and cakes and … for same-sex weddings. So I have doubt. If it is okay to do a tax return for a same-sex couple, then why not provide flowers, cakes. for such weddings?
I do know that if such a couple comes in, I would certainly be friendly and respectful. I certainly can’t be judgmental as I have prepared tax returns for people who are living together without being married.

By preparing a same-sex couple’s tax return you’re not condoning or contributing to their lifestyle. You’re providing a professional service. It’s not like you’re a wedding planner handling their wedding. I’m a lawyer and have performed litigation, probate, and business-related services for gay clients without imperiling my soul. Physicians, dentists, and therapists treat homosexual persons without doing anything wrong. Mechanics don’t fall into mortal sin by fixing a gay couple’s car. Barbers cut their hair but the devil doesn’t rejoice about it and neither do the angels weep. Undertakers embalm deceased gays and lesbians and no one tells them they’re going to hell for this. You’re fine. Don’t worry. Prepare the return if asked to do so.

 

[epan]

In between real jobs, I am preparing tax returns at a large firm. Now that same-sex marriage is legal in my state, I may be asked to do tax returns for a same-sex couple. If I refuse, I will be fired (this has already happened at this company, albeit in another state.) I thought I would be perfectly fine with this, saying to myself, it’s what the IRS and the state allow. But then… people object to providing flowers and cakes and … for same-sex weddings. So I have doubt. If it is okay to do a tax return for a same-sex couple, then why not provide flowers, cakes. for such weddings?
I do know that if such a couple comes in, I would certainly be friendly and respectful. I certainly can’t be judgmental as I have prepared tax returns for people who are living together without being married.

Fortunately for you, the IRS and the US Tax Code are motivated largely by concerns other than morality or religion. If a tax return is legal under that tax code, then it’s legal. This is not a religious issue.

 

[Rau]

Fortunately for you, the IRS and the US Tax Code are motivated largely by concerns other than morality or religion. If a tax return is legal under that tax code, then it’s legal. This is not a religious issue.

Indeed, it is what might be called a “non-issue”.

 

[estesbob]

In between real jobs, I am preparing tax returns at a large firm. Now that same-sex marriage is legal in my state, I may be asked to do tax returns for a same-sex couple. If I refuse, I will be fired (this has already happened at this company, albeit in another state.) I thought I would be perfectly fine with this, saying to myself, it’s what the IRS and the state allow. But then… people object to providing flowers and cakes and … for same-sex weddings. So I have doubt. If it is okay to do a tax return for a same-sex couple, then why not provide flowers, cakes. for such weddings?
I do know that if such a couple comes in, I would certainly be friendly and respectful. I certainly can’t be judgmental as I have prepared tax returns for people who are living together without being married.

I do. In fact the only people I refuse to do taxes for are people with income from abortion clinics. By the time they get to us the"wedding" is done.We aren’t supporting anything by preparing someone’s taxes.

 

[SuperLuigi]

On Judgment Day God will look at you straight in the eyes and ask why did you do the gay couples taxes?

I don’t see why not, unless their asking you to do it for free then maybe refuse.

I don’t think it’s as simple as that. The best thing anyone can do in these situations is see a priest/confessor for spiritual direction.

It would also be different if the original post was reveling in doing taxes for those in invalid marriages.