Hey, Gay Married People: This Guy Knows How to Do Your Taxes

Photo by Stefano Giovannini / The Brooklyn Paper

When gay marriage was passed in New York State last June, I was one of those people running down the street with my friends, screaming like an asshole.  I was so happy -- I almost couldn’t believe it. I finally had the right to get married; to not just enter into a loving partnership, but a legal partnership with full benefits and blessings. It was a moment I’ll never forget – and one I hope every gay person experiences in their own state one day.

But in all of the joy, I hadn't really thought about all of the new, stressful things that might come along with gay marriage. Like, for instance, doing taxes.

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No More Sales Tax on Clothing in NYC (let's go shopping!)

I'm from Texas, and once a year, the state offers a weekend of tax-free purchases on clothing and school supplies. On such days, I have witnessed parking-related brawls and a near eye-gouging over a pair of BCBG white jeans. It's kind of like NYC on any culturally-significant parade day (I love you Puerto Ricans, but your parade makes me want to move to the suburbs). Years ago I vowed to never step foot into a retail establishment on sales tax-free days. 

Well once again, New York has trumped Texas and has therefore validated my trek across this fair country to the land of impossibly high rent and hot dogs with toppings like kimchi and organic placenta (OK, maybe not placenta). NY state has spent years going back and forth on the existence of sales tax on clothing items and finally, once again, they've removed sales tax on clothing and shoes costing less than $110 bucks. This is good news people. 

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