Tax rule affecting married women struck down

These clauses are viewed as unfair to married women, who have to pay more taxes than unmarried women because some of their income is combined with their husband’s, which is usually taxed at a higher rate.
Some women have divorced their husbands to avoid paying higher taxes because of these clauses.
The case had been brought to the court by the Ombudsman’s Office.
The Revenue Code allows married women to file a tax return independent of their husbands for income from salaries, wages and pensions.
The court ruled that Articles 57(3) and 57(5) contravened the charter’s principle of equality and fair practice for all, as they treated married and unmarried women differently.
The court cited Article 6 of the charter, which states: “The Constitution is the supreme law of the State. The provisions
of any law, rule or regulation, which
are contrary to or inconsistent with
this Constitution, shall be unenforce-
able.”
With the verdict, married women
are expected to be allowed to include
non-earned income in their own personal tax returns starting the next tax year.