Changed a marital status to common-law in CRA and file taxes

[Krystine]

Hello everyone,

Me and my boy friend became a common-law as of March 2017 since we have been living together since March 2016.

So, we would like to change our marital status to a common-law and claim our taxes for 2017 year.

The biggest concern I have now is that we had assessed our taxes for 2016 under a Single. I am not sure if there is a need to re-assess our 2016 tax under a common-law status when we officially became a common-law on March 2017. Anyone can advise?

 

[starnaenae]

No need as it was effective 2017

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hello everyone,

Me and my boy friend became a common-law as of March 2017 since we have been living together since March 2016.

So, we would like to change our marital status to a common-law and claim our taxes for 2017 year.

The biggest concern I have now is that we had assessed our taxes for 2016 under a Single. I am not sure if there is a need to re-assess our 2016 tax under a common-law status when we officially became a common-law on March 2017. Anyone can advise?

Hi

Your 2016 taxes are fine.

You were supposed to update CRA when your marital status actually changed, I think within 30 days. You should note that CRA will recalculate your eligibility for benefits/credits from March 2017 using your combined income. If you and/or your partner have received anything like GST/HST credits or child benefit since then, you will likely have to pay some back.