Province expands skilled trades tax rebate

Nova Scotia is expanding its skilled trades income tax rebate program to include film and video operators.

The More Opportunity for Skilled Trades program offers a full provincial tax rebate for trades workers under the age of 30 on the first $50,000 of eligible income.

“Government is focused on supporting a strong film and video industry by investing in young skilled workers so they can build their lives here and contribute to our growing economy,” said Premier Tim Houston in a news release.

“We recognize there are labour gaps for this growing industry, so we are taking concrete action to address the problem now to help the film industry grow sustainably and become a year-round economic generator.”

The program will be in effect for the 2022 income tax year. Eligible residents can apply and qualify for the refund after they file their 2022 income tax return as Nova Scotia residents and receive a notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.

The province says about 7,600 current and new workers in the skilled trades and film and video sectors will benefit from the program, first announced in the 2022 budget, with an average refund of about $2,700.

The film industry is the second sector to be eligible for the program, following the skilled trades.

More information about the refund process will be available in the coming months. The province said the program may expand to other sectors.