Provincial release:
The Province sent tax refunds this week to about 20,000 low-income seniors through a program offered only in Nova Scotia.
The average refund is $1,532, for a total of $30.6 million.
“Everyone is concerned about affordability and, for our low-income seniors, every dollar makes a difference,” said Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, on behalf of John Lohr, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board. “We’re happy to give this money back to the people who need it most. They’ll put it to good use.”
Nova Scotian seniors who receive the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and pay provincial income tax are eligible to receive a refund on their provincial tax.
The number of eligible seniors has more than doubled – from 8,410 recipients in 2020 to about 20,000 in 2025 – due to Nova Scotia’s aging population and changes to the federal GIS earnings exemption that allow more seniors to work while receiving GIS benefits.
The Province assesses eligibility and processes refunds based on tax returns. Seniors do not have to apply for this refund, but they must file a tax return every year to qualify. Those who did not file a return for the 2025 taxation year, but who are eligible, can still receive the refund when they file a tax return.
Quick Facts:
– Nova Scotia introduced the GIS provincial income tax refund program in 2010
– the Province issues GIS tax refund payments twice per fiscal year, in August and January
-the Province has also increased the basic personal amount all Nova Scotians can claim before paying taxes, indexed tax brackets and reduced the HST to 14 per cent, saving the average family $1,400 a year
Additional Resources:
People with questions about the refund program can call the Service Nova Scotia provincial contact centre at 1-800-670-4357
Seniors can also qualify for a number of other programs, including the $750 Seniors Care Grant, the Property Tax Rebate for Seniors, home care and home support direct funding, and more; for information, call the provincial contact centre or visit https://novascotia.ca
Information about the federal government’s Guaranteed Income Supplement program, including eligibility requirements, is available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement.html
