If my spouse owes taxes and I am getting a re fund, can I file at the same time but use my refund later to pay her taxes owing?

 

After you file

The short answer is no. Turbo Tax does recommend you prepare your spouse or common-law partner’s return at the same time as your own return, as this allows TurboTax to optimize deductions and credits, but you can’t transfer a refund to pay your spouse or common-law partner’s balance owing.

 

 There are other options available such as:

  • Income splitting is only available to certain taxpayers:
    • not the general public. It is limited to shareholders who are children, and those with eligible pension income. This is a strategy whereby income from one spouse, typically taxed at a higher rate, is shifted to the other spouse. Doing so reduces the rates paid by the higher-earning spouse while increasing the rates paid by the lower earner.
  • Claim spousal tax credit
    • This non-refundable tax credit helps lessen the tax burden of the higher-earning spouse. There is a federal and provincial amount that may be claimed. The higher-earning spouse can claim this amount if the higher-earning spouse supports the lower-income spouse and the lower-income spouse’s net income is under $11,809.

For more information please refer to this TurboTax article:

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