The Federal Government took a huge step in recognizing marriage equality today.  They IRS has stated that gay married couples would be able to file jointly on their Federal tax returns regardless of whether couples’ home state recognizes the marriage.

This bureaucratic change could all but guarantee every state recognizes gay marriage.  Why?  Paperwork.  Most State taxes borrow heavily from the Federal 1040 form.  State forms, as a result, are fairly straightforward and easy to fill out.  If State governments continue to not recognize the marriages, they will have to create new tax forms for everyone.  That would entail completely revamping the State tax codes.  Equality by papercut.  Brilliant!