Has your marital status changed?

Did you know that your marital status can affect your taxes and the amount of benefit and credit payments you are eligible to get?  It is important to tell the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) about any changes in your marital status. To avoid incorrect payments, tell the CRA about your new marital status by the end of the month following the month your status changed. If you already get payments, your benefits will be adjusted starting the following month of your updated status with the CRA.

The CRA will recalculate your benefits and credits based on:

• your adjusted family net income
• the number of children who live with you and their age

When to update your marital status?

You should tell the CRA that your marital status has changed if:

• you got married
• you entered into a common-law relationship
• you have been separated for more than 90 days (because of a breakdown in the relationship)
• you got divorced
• your spouse or common-law partner passed away

You must tell the CRA about any change in marital status by the end of the month following the month your status changed. For example, if your status changes in March, you must tell the CRA by the end of April. However, do not tell us about your separation until you have been separated for more than 90 days.

How do you tell the CRA that your marital status has changed?

You can tell the CRA about your new marital status and the date of the change by using one of the following options: 

• use the “Change my marital status” service in My Account
• select “Marital status” in the MyBenefits CRA or MyCRA mobile apps
• call 1-800-387-1193
• send us a completed Form RC65, Marital Status Change

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