Penn Cuts Same-Sex Couples A Break

In case you haven’t yet heard, Penn is joining a handful of other universities in aiding same-sex couples by issuing them a series of tax benefits.  Because same-sex marriage is not recognized in Pennsylvania, there exists a tax that a Penn employee must pay on a partner’s benefits, although the tax does not exist for heterosexual couples.  The new tax benefit issued by the university is meant to offset this cost.

What all of this means, basically, is that Penn is continuing its efforts to create a just environment for all faculty, staff, and students.  And, it's one of the first universities to implement this practice, known as "grossing up."  Way to go!  But, really, this should come as no surprise.