As of 2015, eligible graduates have the opportunity to lower their provincial income tax payable with the Saskatchewan graduate retention program. With it, you can claim up to $20,000 of your tuition fees!
In addition to being a resident of Saskatchewan, you need have graduated from an approved post-secondary program, and apply within 7 years of finishing school. This means that if you graduated in 2010, you have until April 30th, 2017 to apply. Graduates from 2009 or earlier are no longer able to apply for the Graduate retention program.
Most post-secondary schools in Saskatchewan will apply for this program on your behalf. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to submit a copy of your certificate, diploma, or degree along with your application to the Ministry of Advanced Education. If you studied outside of Saskatchewan but you live within the province, you’ll also need to apply directly to the Ministry.
You can carry forward any unused amounts up to 10 years after you graduate. Refer to your notice of assessment (NOA) for the Saskatchewan graduate tuition tax credit amount that you can claim this year.
Important: If you received a Graduate Retention Program Eligibility Certificate between 2008 and 2014 and didn’t claim the rebate in the tax year shown on the certificate, you’ll need to send an adjustment request to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). For these years, you’ll be eligible for a cash refund.
What’s considered an approved program?
According to the government of Saskatchewan, an approved program is one that requires at least 6 months of full-time study at an eligible school, results in a certificate, diploma, undergrad degree, or provides a journeypersons certification.
A list of eligible schools can be found on the CanLearn website. These schools have been recognized by the Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission, or for Canada-Saskatchewan student loans.
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 tell us that you lived in SASKATCHEWAN on December 31, 2016.
- On the PREPARE tab, click the LET’S TALK ABOUT 2016 icon.
- Select the checkbox labelled I was a student.
- Click the STUDENTS icon. You’ll find yourself here:
- Under the CREDIT AMOUNTS heading, select the checkbox labelled Saskatchewan graduate retention program (RC360), then click Continue.
- When you arrive at the page for the Saskatchewan graduate retention program, enter your information into the tax software.
Note: If you were not a student in 2016, you can also find the Saskatchewan graduate retention program (RC360) page under the OTHER icon of the PREPARE tab.
