Marriage Trap

Marriage can be the ruin of a working girl, or so maintains an organization named MATE (for Married Americans for Tax Equality). MATE'S thesis is based on a 1969 change in the federal tax law that was aimed at redressing a historic imbalance in favor of the marrieds over the singles. But the reformers went too far, particularly in the case of mates who both work. Thus, for example, a man making $15,000 a year and a woman $10,000 may pay $630 more in taxes if they are married than if they are not.

Last week some representatives from MATE established a decorous picket line in front of the Manhattan offices of Bride's magazine. The demonstrators displayed signs reading FOIL THE IRS -- STAY SINGLE and IRS PICKPOCKETS MARRIED WORKING PEOPLE. What did the pickets want Bride's to say yes to?

Simply to include a notice in every issue warning: "Marriage may be damaging to your financial health."

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