No plans to extend married tax rules to cohabiting couples

Treasury minister says joint assessments for cohabiting couples could be an administrative burden

The treasury minister has ruled out extending the same tax treatment given to married couples and civil partners to those who are cohabiting.

Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper questioned whether such a move would create additional paperwork and reduce efficiency.

Chris Thomas says there are no plans to make the issue a priority, but he will reflect on it with his department.

He believes assessing cohabiting couples could place an added administrative burden on the system: