BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- The Idaho House has approved a revised tax conformity bill after spiking a prior version because it would have removed an unenforceable rule banning joint returns from same-sex couples.
Lawmakers voted 54-16 on Friday on a new bill that doesn't remove any existing law, but adds a new section that state same-sex marriage must be recognized under Idaho's Income Tax Act.
Idaho lawmakers typically approve legislation at the beginning of each session that aligns the state's tax code with changes to federal tax code. This year's original version sought to remove a requirement for same-sex couples to file separate state tax returns. That requirement is now void because the U.S. Supreme Court rules last year that states can't enforce gay marriage bans.
Lawmakers usually prefer to sync the state's tax code with the federal version to make it easier for residents and businesses to do their taxes or avoid having to keep separate accounting books to track the different rules.
