If you haven't consulted with a financial advisor, you should at least talk to an accountant at this point. Tax laws can be complicated and an accountant will be able to tell you what your best tax strategy surrounding your divorce is.

In Canada, spousal support is a deduction for the person who pays it, and income for the person who receives it.

But the tax implications of child support are different. Changes to the federal Income Tax Act mean that all child-support orders made on or after May 1, 1997, fall under new income-tax rules. Now:


If you have a child-support order or agreement made before May 1, 1997, and you want the current income-tax rules to apply to you, you can request that change provided both you and the other parent agree. If your ex doesn't agree, you can apply to the court to change your current child-support order or agreement.

The CCRA requires that your tax return reflect your marital status on the last day of the filing year.