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A new survey from H&R Block Canada suggested that while many Canadians believe marriage is about “committing to a lifelong soulmate,” a majority also believed people stay with their partners for financial reasons.

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The survey, conducted last month from a pool of about 1,500 respondents, shed light on many of the practical reasons Canadians had for remaining with their partners.

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According to the survey, 73% of respondents thought that “many people stay together in marriage or in common-law relationships for financial reasons.”

Lottery win ticket to Splitsville?

Over a quarter (27%) of those surveyed said if they won the lottery and were in a committed relationship, they would likely split up with their partner. A vast majority of Quebecers, however, didn’t seem to want to bail on a relationship over a turn in fortune with only 13% saying they’d likely leave their partner after a lotto win.

When it comes to marriage, many set the bar high with the majority (79%) of respondents saying they believed in the “notion that marriage is about committing to your lifelong soulmate.” However, only about a third of those surveyed (34%) thought they would find one.

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When given the option of a lifelong marriage or a “five-year commitment renewal,” nearly a quarter (23%) preferred the latter option.

The survey also found that 62% of Canadians “would be happy to sign a prenuptial agreement if their partner was wealthier or had a much higher income than them.”

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Will somebody think of the children?

Children are a major factor for remaining in a relationship with 83% of respondents saying they believed couples often stay together for the sake of their kids, while 40% said “marriage is mainly about practicalities” when kids are involved.

Many also believe there are tax advantages to being in a committed relationship, according to the survey.

Over half of respondents thought married or common-law couples get more tax advantages then single Canadians with 63% saying single Canadians should get more tax breaks as they don’t get to split expenses with a partner.

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Singles not necessarily facing tax disadvantage

A majority (80%) of them said life is more affordable for couples.

While common-law and married couples can enjoy certain tax benefits, being single doesn’t necessarily mean you’re at a financial disadvantage come tax season, according to H&R Block tax expert Yannick Lemay.

“While there aren’t any specific tax credits or benefits for single Canadians, it does mean you could receive the full amounts for a number of tax credits and benefits rather than splitting amounts with a partner,” Lemay said. “It also means that, for benefits and credits that are based on household income, you often receive a higher amount given it’s evaluated based on one rather than two incomes.”

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