Tax Preparation Services: 5 Must-Know Life Changes

A big life change is exciting (or stressful, or both). Then tax season shows up and suddenly you’re wondering: Do I have to tell the CRA? Did I miss a credit? Why does my refund look different?

You’re not overthinking it. Major life events can affect what you report, what you qualify for, and how smoothly your benefits get paid. Debt.ca also flags that milestones like job changes, marriage, or moving can impact your taxes and financial planning.

Below are the 5 must-know tax changes people in Ontario run into after marriage, having children, starting a new job, or moving—plus practical steps to keep things accurate and low-stress.

Why life changes can change your taxes

The CRA relies on your personal details to administer taxes and to calculate certain benefit/credit payments. If key info is outdated (like your address or marital status), you could end up with delayed payments, incorrect benefit amounts, or a return that needs fixing later.

Here’s the good news: most of the pain comes from a few common gaps—things not updated, documents missing, or deadlines misunderstood. Fix those and you’re already ahead.

Common worries we hear:

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to update.”
“I’m terrified of filing wrong and getting hit with penalties.”
“I don’t want to miss credits or benefits I should get.”

Let’s handle those one by one.

Personal tax return help: the “update-first” checklist

The 10-minute CRA profile check

Before you even think about forms and receipts, do a fast check of the personal info that tends to break after a life change:

Marital status (married/common-law/separated/divorced/widowed)
Address (especially if you moved recently)
Direct deposit (so refunds/benefits go to the right place)

The CRA’s “Update your information” hub is a useful reference for what can be changed and where.

Your “tax folder” for life changes

Create one folder (paper or digital) and drop in:

Dates of the life change (move date, wedding date, job start date)
New slips (T4s, childcare receipts, moving receipts, etc.)
Any CRA letters/notices you receive
A quick note: “What changed?” + “What questions do I have?”

This saves you from the “March panic scroll.”

5 must-know tax changes after marriage, children, a new job, or moving

1) Marital status updates (and why timing matters)

If you got married, became common-law, separated, divorced, or were widowed, your marital status matters for taxes and benefit calculations.

What people get wrong: waiting until tax season to update it. The CRA specifically provides a process for updating marital status (including online steps in CRA My Account).

Quick checklist

Update your marital status in CRA My Account when it changes (and keep the date handy).
If you’re separated, CRA guidance can treat the timing differently (for example, separation rules often depend on how long you’ve lived apart).

Why it matters

Your marital status can impact benefit and credit amounts and what information you report.

If your fear is “costly mistakes”: this is one of the most common places people slip, especially in the year the change happened.

2) Benefits and credits may change with family updates

Having a child (or changes in custody/living arrangements) can affect benefit eligibility and amounts. The CRA notes that marital status and personal info updates can affect benefit and credit payments.

What to do

Make sure the CRA has your current marital status and address.
Keep childcare-related receipts and any documentation tied to the change.

3) A new job can change your tax withheld

Starting a new job (or taking a second job) can change:

How much tax is withheld from your pay
Whether you owe at tax time
Whether your refund shrinks compared to last year

Typical “uh-oh” moments

You worked multiple jobs and each employer withheld as if it was your only income.
Your taxable benefits changed (insurance, allowances).
Your pay went up (or became variable) and your deductions didn’t match reality.

Quick steps

Keep all T4s and notes about start/end dates.
If you’re unsure why tax withheld looks different, ask for personal tax return help early—this is where proactive planning saves headaches.

A helpful mental rule: the more income streams you add, the more valuable professional review becomes.

4) Moving can affect what you can claim and what you need to update

Moving is one of those “life admin” tasks that has tax ripple effects.

First: update your address
The CRA provides clear ways to update your personal address (including options like forms and instructions).
And the Government of Canada notes that address updates often need to be done per department because systems aren’t automatically connected.

Second: track move details
Even if you’re not sure you can claim anything, write down:

Move date
Old/new addresses
Why you moved (for work? school? family?)
Basic receipts (moving truck, storage, travel)

5) You may need to fix or adjust a return after filing

Life happens. Sometimes you file, then realize you forgot something—or you get a missing slip later.

The CRA explains you generally need to wait until you receive your Notice of Assessment before requesting a change to your return.
They also publish guidance on changing a return after filing and the methods available.

If you discover an error

Don’t panic.
Gather your documents.
Use CRA’s official change-return process after your NOA, or work with a tax professional to get it corrected cleanly.

When tax preparation services are worth it

If your year included one life change and your taxes are simple, DIY might be fine.

But tax preparation services are especially worth it when you have:

Multiple changes in the same year (move + new job + baby)
More than one income source
Unclear credit/benefit eligibility
A return you may need to adjust after filing

What clients usually want most: confidence that nothing got missed—and that their CRA profile and reporting match what happened in real life.

If you’re aiming for “no surprises,” that’s the real value.

Quick steps: what to do this week

Here’s a simple plan you can follow in under an hour:

Update marital status (if applicable).
Update address and confirm mail can reach you.
Confirm direct deposit is correct.
Create your life-change tax folder (dates + documents).
Write down 3 questions you want answered (credits, deductions, what to claim).

That’s it. You’ve reduced most of the risk already.

Book help with DKAJ

Major life changes can make taxes feel uncertain. If you want confidence that everything is updated correctly and nothing is missed, DKAJ’s tax preparation services are designed to support you through every step.

From updating CRA information to identifying credits tied to your situation, their team helps ensure your return reflects your current life accurately. If you’re ready for clear answers and reliable support, contact DKAJ to get started and book your consultation today.

FAQs

1) Do I have to tell the CRA when I get married or separated?
Yes—your marital status can affect benefit and credit payments, and the CRA provides options to update it (including online through CRA My Account).

2) What should I update with the CRA after moving?
At minimum, update your address and review your direct deposit so refunds and benefit payments go to the right place.

3) Why do my taxes feel different after starting a new job?
Withholding can change with income, benefits, and multiple jobs. Keeping all slips and asking for help early can prevent a surprise balance owing.

4) Can I fix my tax return after I’ve filed?
Usually yes, but the CRA generally requires you to wait until you receive your Notice of Assessment before requesting changes.

5) When should I get professional help for my personal tax return?
If you’ve had multiple life changes, have more than one income source, or aren’t sure which credits/benefits apply, professional support can reduce risk and save time.

5 Must-Know Tax Changes After Marriage, Children, a New Job, or Moving