Taxes by life event: what changes and what to do

Taxes rarely change because the calendar says so. They change because you got a job, had a baby, bought a house or retired. Pick the moment that fits you, and each page shows what changes, which dates matter and which calculators help.

This hub is for the days when something big has just happened, or is about to, and you suspect it has a tax side you haven’t thought about yet. A first job brings forms to sign and a pay stub full of deductions. A baby brings a child benefit to apply for and leave pay to understand. Moving to Canada, getting married, splitting up, starting a business or losing someone you love each bring their own list of things to tell the CRA and their own deadlines.

Each life event page is short on purpose. It names what changes, links to the guide that explains the rule, and points to the calculator that lets you try your own numbers. You won’t need to read a dozen pages to find the one thing that applies to you. Skim the page for your moment, note the dates, and come back to the rest when you need it.

We’re an information site. We don’t prepare or file returns, so for advice on your own case, ask a qualified preparer or the CRA.

Most read right now

• First time tax filing in Canada

  Return dates, the slips to gather, the late penalty and a $20,000 Ontario example.

• Canada tax residency rules

  Which ties make you a resident, and when 183 days makes you a deemed resident.

• First time home buyer tax credit

  The $10,000 amount on your first home, plus the FHSA and the Home Buyers’ Plan.

• Canada Child Benefit calculator

  Estimate the benefit for your family before you apply.

• Final tax return after death

  Due dates, which income counts and how RRIFs and gains are taxed.

Which moment are you in?

• New to Canada

  Residency, world income, your first return and the benefits to apply for.

• Students

  The tuition credit, your T2202, scholarships and a summer job.

• First job

  Forms to sign, what comes off your pay and why you should file.

• Marriage and common-law

  When you count as a couple, and what to tell the CRA.

• Having a baby

  The child benefit, leave pay and childcare costs.

• Buying or selling a home

  Transfer tax, the principal residence rule and the FHSA.

• Starting a business

  Registering for GST/HST, instalments and records.

• Separation and divorce

  Benefits, support payments and property.

• Retiring

  CPP, OAS, RRSP withdrawals and the RRIF.

• Death and estates

  The final return, the estate and who files.

Something missing?

We haven’t written pages for every life event yet, and we’d rather get eight right than thirty wrong. Can’t find yours? Don’t worry, because the guides are organised by topic too. If yours isn’t here, the guides and the calculators are the best place to start, and the tax calendar keeps the dates in one place.

The checklists help when a life event means gathering paper, and the benefits and credits guide lists what you may be able to apply for. You’ll see the same notice on every page: these are information only. We don’t prepare or file returns, so for advice on your own case, which can depend on a dozen details we can’t see from here, ask a qualified preparer or the CRA. The guide to choosing a tax preparer explains what to ask.