Tax conformity bill headed to governor’s desk

BOISE – The Idaho Senate has approved legislation to bring the state’s tax code in line with federal rules, a move estimated to cost Idaho roughly $46 million over two years.

The Senate voted 33-2 on Monday to send the bill to Gov. Butch Otter’s desk for his signature.

The tax conformity bill is a routine measure that syncs the state tax code with the federal tax code.

House lawmakers spiked a prior version of the legislation earlier this year after objecting to the bill’s removal of unenforceable language banning same-sex couples from filing joint tax returns.

The new version doesn’t remove the unenforceable ban, but inserts a new section stating all marriages recognized by the federal government shall be recognized by Idaho’s tax code.