Nixon tells Revenue to accept combined returns from same-sex couples

Gov. Jay Nixon announced today he's issuing an executive order directing the state Revenue department to accept combined returns from same-sex couples who file joint federal returns.

He said state law requires Missouri couples who file joint returns to the IRS to file a combined Missouri return, too.

He noted his order follows an August ruling from the IRS and U.S. Treasury department to treat legally married same-sex couples the same as other married couples for federal tax purposes.

Nixon said the order doesn't affect any other state policy and doesn't violate the state Constitution's language recognizing marriage as only between a man and a woman.