I believe there are a few advantages to filing separately, if one individual has a very low income (it's been a long time since we so filed). Some of the low income earner rebates (GST refund, etc) which are unavailable if joint incomes are too high come to mind.
However, most of would prefer to earn enough that these rebates don't apply.
Therefore, I concur that I see few to no advantages to filing as individuals, and many disadvantages to having CRA discover the relationship is different than claimed. I would expect an investigator, on discovering this subterfuge, would apply greater scrutiny to that taxpayer's return.
My $0.02,
However, most of would prefer to earn enough that these rebates don't apply.
Therefore, I concur that I see few to no advantages to filing as individuals, and many disadvantages to having CRA discover the relationship is different than claimed. I would expect an investigator, on discovering this subterfuge, would apply greater scrutiny to that taxpayer's return.
My $0.02,
