The Nova Scotia low-income tax reduction is a non-refundable tax credit meant to help out low income individuals 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 2017 tax software:
Before you begin, make sure you told us you were a resident of Nova Scotia on December 31, 2017.
Note: If you were single, widowed, divorced, 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, you can choose to claim this credit on your spouse’s return. Here’s how:
- Under the WRAP-UP tab, click the OPTIMIZATION icon.
- Under the Credits and claims tab, answer Yes to the question, Would you prefer not to claim some of the credits listed above this year…?
- Then, answer No to the question, Do you want to claim the Nova Scotia low-income tax reduction?
If you and your spouse are preparing your returns separately and you prefer that this credit be claimed by your spouse on their return, here’s what to do:
- Under the WRAP-UP tab, click the OPTIMIZATION icon.
- Under the Credits and claims tab, answer Yes to the question, Would you prefer not to claim some of the credits listed above this year…?
- Then, answer No to the question, Do you want to claim the Nova Scotia low-income tax reduction?
