The recent United States Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Windsor invalidated Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which had defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The ruling greatly expands the estate and tax planning techniques available for married samesex couples who live in a state like California that recognizes same-sex marriage.

On August 29, 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Revenue Ruling 2013-17, which provides technical guidance for the federal tax treatment of married same-sex couples in light of the Windsor decision. The Revenue Ruling provides the following guidance...