This is definitely an original way to save on taxes.
Two elderly heterosexual men from Ireland are planning to get married in January, to avoid paying a large inheritance tax.
As reported by the Irish Times, Michael O’sullivan of Stoneybatter, North Dublin, befriends 85-year-old Matt for almost thirty years. Moreover, he is the guardian of the lonely Matt.
Matt decided to leave the best friend your house, but in Ireland the law the man has to pay for this tax is called Capital Acquisitions Tax (Cat), which is almost half the cost of the house. But married spouses or civil partners are exempt from this tax.
So Matt and Michael decided to get married. «Recently Matt told me: I’m going to leave you the house. He added that it will remain a part of my life, when I die,» — said Michael O’sullivan.
According to Michael, he is divorced, has three adult children who normally made a decision friends. «They know Matt. I love him as a friend. Now I’m his guardian, and we think it is a good idea not to pay the government the same amount».
A couple planned to marry on December 22, but decided to postpone until January because of bad weather. Same-sex marriages are allowed in Ireland in 2015.
