Creative and cooperative approaches to tax issues can increase the amount of funds retained by separating couples. This paper discusses tax tips to help separating couples net additional funds. Opportunities discussed include bringing a claim for retroactive spousal support, withdrawing from registered retirement savings plans, and using available capital losses accumulated in prior years to eliminate some or all of the associated income tax liability from selling investments to access cash.

This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law During Recessionary Times program in Calgary on October 4, 2017 and in Edmonton on October 11, 2017.