Survey says most Canadians stay in relationships for financial security

Nearly three-quarters of Canadians think many couples stay together for financial reasons – and more than a quarter say they would likely leave their partner if they won the lottery. 

A new H&R Block Canada survey on love, money and taxes finds that 73 percent of Canadians believe people remain in marriages or common law relationships for financial reasons.  

Among respondents who imagine having a partner and winning the lottery, 27 percent say they would likely split up with that partner. 

The survey also shows that Canadians link relationship status closely to affordability.  

Overall, 80 percent say life is more affordable when you are a couple rather than single.  

More than half (57 percent) believe married or common law couples get more tax advantages than single Canadians, and 63 percent say there should be more tax breaks for single Canadians who do not share expenses with a partner. 

H&R Block Canada tax expert Yannick Lemay said marital or common‑law status and the number of children can “significantly impact” which tax credits, benefits and deductions Canadians can access.  

He noted that the CRA uses “coupled” information and combined net family income to calculate many of these benefits and credits, even though each person files an individual return. 

Views on commitment also show a gap between romantic ideals and expectations.  

While 79 percent believe marriage is about committing to your lifelong soulmate, only 34 percent believe people are actually destined to be with a lifelong soulmate, versus 66 percent who disagree. 

More than a quarter (27 percent) say they do not think it is realistic to be with one romantic partner for most of their life. 

Some respondents favour fixed-term commitments.  

Nearly one in four Canadians (23 percent) like the idea of a five-year relationship commitment, with the choice to renew every five years instead of a lifelong marriage commitment. 

Children appear as a key factor in how respondents define marriage and staying together.  

Four in ten Canadians (40 percent) say marriage is mainly about practicalities if you are planning to have, or do have, children. That view is more common among those who identify as male (45 percent) than those who identify as female (36 percent).  

In addition, 83 percent believe that couples often stay together for the sake of their children. 

Attitudes toward financial protection between partners also stand out.  

A majority of Canadians (62 percent) say they would be happy to sign a prenuptial agreement if their partner was wealthier or had a much higher income than them, compared to 25 percent who disagree. 

Canadians report mixed levels of understanding around the tax implications of being single versus being married or in a common law relationship.  

In the survey, 46 percent say they have a strong understanding, while 42 percent say they do not. 

H&R Block Canada points to several specific tax rules and benefits that turn on relationship status and family structure: 

• Basic Personal Amount (BPA) and Spousal Tax Credit: Every Canadian can earn up to $16,129 tax-free in 2025. If a married or common law partner earns less than the BPA, the higher-earning partner can use the difference to lower their income tax by claiming the Spousal Tax Credit. 

• Transferring tax credits: Married or common law couples can transfer certain credits if one spouse does not use the full amount, including caregiver amounts, pension income amounts, the age amount, and disability and tuition amounts. 

• Spousal RRSP contribution: RRSP contributions allow for income splitting. A higher earner can contribute to an RRSP for a lower-income spouse who has not maxed out their contribution in that tax year. 

• Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST Credit): This quarterly credit is based on household income for couples or sole income for single Canadians. Payments are up to $679 for single adults and up to $1,358 for a family of four, and require a current tax return. 

• Canada Workers Benefit (CWB): This refundable tax credit for modest-income individuals and families is based on adjusted family net income, for up to $1,633 for single Canadians and $2,813 for families, with a supplement of up to $843 for people with a disability. Amounts vary in Alberta, Nunavut and Quebec. 

• Canada Child Benefit: This tax-free monthly payment is only available to those up to date on their tax returns. For July 2025 to June 2026, the maximum annual benefits are $7,997 per child under 6 and $6,748 per child aged 6–17. In shared custody, the amount is split between parents. 

• Child care expenses: Childcare deductions are generally based on the income of the lower-earning spouse or the income of a single parent. Eligible expenses, such as daycare, day camps, nursery schools and nannies, reduce taxable income, up to set maximums per child for 2025 tax filing. 

• Canadian Dental Care Plan: Coverage is calculated based on household income, so a partner’s or spouse’s income can affect eligibility, which uses a sliding scale based on adjusted net income of less than $90,000. 

The CRA considers couples common law if they live with a conjugal partner for 12 consecutive months, or earlier if they have a child together, and it considers a couple legally separated after 90 days of living apart.  

If marital status changes during the year, especially for those with children, the CRA expects notification so it can adjust amounts such as the Canada Child Benefit. 

Lemay said “there aren’t any specific tax credits or benefits for single Canadians,” but noted that they may receive full amounts of some credits and benefits rather than splitting them with a partner.  

He said a major mistake is thinking there is no need to file a tax return with low or no income, when filing is “the only way to unlock many government benefits and credits” that can provide thousands of dollars in support throughout the year.