Essential Guide: Filing Taxes as a Couple for Maximum Refund

How to File Taxes as a Couple – Tips for Maximum Refund

Filing taxes as a couple in Canada isn’t just about submitting two returns — it’s about working together to maximize your refund. The CRA allows married and common-law partners to claim or transfer certain credits and deductions to reduce overall taxes. Here’s how to make the most of it.

1. Know How the CRA Defines a Couple

You’re considered a couple if you are:

• Legally married, or

• Living common-law (together for at least 12 continuous months, or share a child by birth/adoption).

Both of you must file separate tax returns, but many credits and deductions are linked, so your tax results affect each other.

2. Claim the Spousal Amount

If one partner earned much less income, the higher-earning partner may be eligible to claim the spousal amount (line 30300).
This credit helps reduce taxes if your spouse’s income is below a certain threshold (around $14,000 in recent years).

It’s one of the simplest ways for couples with one lower-income partner to save hundreds of dollars on taxes.

3. Transfer Unused Credits

Some tax credits can be transferred between spouses if one person can’t fully use them. Examples include:

• Age amount

• Disability amount

• Tuition amount

• Pension income amount

By transferring these credits, the higher-income partner can use them to reduce taxes owed — keeping more of your household income.

4. Pool Your Medical Expenses

Instead of each partner claiming separate medical costs, combine them on one return (usually the lower-income partner’s).
CRA allows you to claim medical expenses for both spouses and dependents — and since the credit is based on income, this strategy often leads to a larger deduction.

5. Contribute to a Spousal RRSP

A spousal RRSP allows one partner to contribute to the other’s retirement plan, lowering the contributor’s taxable income now while balancing future withdrawals.
It’s a smart move if one spouse is in a higher tax bracket — and it helps both partners retire with similar income levels later.

6. Share Charitable Donations

The CRA gives a higher tax credit rate for charitable donations above $200.
Combine your donations on one return to maximize this benefit rather than splitting them between both returns.

7. File Together, Strategically

Even though you each file your own T1 return, the CRA links your accounts to assess shared credits.
That means you should:

• Use the same address and marital status,

• Double-check income figures to avoid CRA reassessments,

• And file at the same time for smoother processing.

8. Get Expert Help

Couples often overlook valuable tax opportunities — from childcare deductions to investment income splitting. A professional tax preparer can help you identify hidden credits and adjustments that maximize your refund legally.

Final Thoughts

Filing taxes as a couple isn’t just about compliance — it’s about strategy. By coordinating income, credits, and deductions, you can turn two separate tax returns into one powerful plan for saving more money.

At Tiki Tax, we help Canadian couples file smart and stress-free — making sure every dollar works for you, not against you.