Gender terms could sink bid for tax equality

In deciding whether married couples should get a tax break, Swiss voters must consider whether the terms would pose an obstacle to same-sex couples hoping to tie the knot someday.  Pitched by the centrist Christian Democratic Party, the initiative “For marriage and family – against the marriage penalty” would reduce the tax burden for married couples, who must file their taxes jointly rather than individually. This can mean a higher tax bill than they would have had as a cohabiting couple without the wedding rings.  Proponents say that if it passes, the initiative would give parliamentarians a clear mandate to eliminate this form of discrimination against marriage and registered partnerships. But opponents say that by defining marriage as “between a man and a woman”, the initiative would thwart efforts to extend marriage to same-sex couples. A final opinion poll in the lead-up to the vote suggests that the initiative could pass. Commissioned by the ...