Nova Scotia – Low-income tax reduction

The Nova Scotia low-income tax reduction is a non-refundable tax credit meant to help out low income Canadians by reducing their provincial tax payable. This could mean $300 for you, $300 for your spouse or eligible dependant, and $165 for each child under 18. It can only be claimed once per family, so you and your spouse will need to decide which one of you will claim the tax credit on your return.

You can claim this tax reduction as long as you were a resident of Nova Scotia on December 31st, and if at least one of the following applies to you:

  • You’re at least 19
  • You have a spouse or common-law partner and
  • You’re a parent

Note: You can’t claim the low-income tax reduction if you spent more than 6 months in jail this year.

 

Where do I claim this?

Follow these steps in H&R Block's tax software to file your 2016 taxes:

Before you begin, make sure you told us you were a resident of NOVA SCOTIA on December 31, 2016.

Note: If you were singlewidoweddivorced, or separated, H&R Block’s tax software will automatically claim the credit on your return.

If you and your spouse are preparing your returns together:

  1. Under the WRAP-UP tab, click the OPTIMIZATION icon.

    Wrapup_optimization_EN.png

  2. Under the Credits that can only be claimed by one spouse (choose) heading, select who will be claiming the Nova Scotia low-income tax reduction credit. 

 

If you and your spouse are preparing your returns separately:

  1. Under the WRAP-UP tab, click the OPTIMIZATION icon.

    Wrapup_optimization_EN.png

  2. Select the checkbox labelled Claim the Nova Scotia low-income tax reduction credit if you’ll be the one claiming the credit.