BILL NO. 31

(as introduced)

1st Session, 63rd General Assembly
Nova Scotia
66 Elizabeth II, 2017

Private Member's Bill

School Supplies Tax Credit Act

Tim Halman
Dartmouth East

First Reading: October 6, 2017

(Explanatory Note)

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

This Bill allows parents and teachers to claim a 50% tax credit for school supplies up to $200.

Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 This Act may be cited as the School Supplies Tax Credit Act.

2 Chapter 217 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Income Tax Act, is amended by adding immediately after Section 11 the following Section:

11A (1) In this Section,

(a) "public school" means a public school as defined in the Education Act;

(b) "teacher" means a person who is employed by a school board in a teaching, supervisory or other professional capacity relating to education in a public school.

(2) Subject to subsection (7), for the purpose of computing the tax payable under this Part for a taxation year by an individual, there may be deducted with respect to each child of the individual who has not attained the age of nineteen years before the end of the year an amount determined by the formula

A x B

where

A is 50%;

B is the lesser of

(a) $200; and

(b) the total of all amounts paid by the individual for school supplies for each child.

(3) Where more than one individual is entitled to a deduction under subsection (2) in respect of the same child,

(a) the total of all amounts so deductible for the year shall not exceed the maximum amount that would be so deductible for the year by any one of those individuals for that child if that individual were the only individual entitled to deduct an amount for the year because of that subsection for the child; and

(b) if the individuals cannot agree as to what portion of the amount each can so deduct, the Minister may fix the portions.

(4) Subject to subsection (7), for the purpose of computing the tax payable under this Part for a taxation year by an individual who is a teacher, there may be deducted with respect to school supplies purchased for a public school before the end of the year an amount determined by the formula

A x B

where

A is 50%;

B is the lesser of

(a) $200; and

(b) the total of all amounts paid by the individual for school supplies for a public school.

(5) The extended meaning of "child" in subsection 252(1) of the Federal Act applies for the purpose of this Section.

(6) The Governor in Council may make regulations designating school supplies for the purpose of this Section.

(7) The money required for the purpose of this Section must be paid out of money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature and, for greater certainty, no deduction may be made pursuant to this Section until the money is appropriated by the Legislature.