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Nova Scotia Dividend Tax Credits

Nova Scotia Eligible Dividends

NS Income Tax Act s. 21(b)

The dividend tax credit for eligible dividends is 8.85% of grossed-up dividends.  This change was effected by Bill 27 Financial Measures (2011) Act, which was introduced in April 2011.

The resulting eligible dividend tax credit rates for Nova Scotia are:

Nova Scotia Non-Eligible Dividends

NS Income Tax Act s. 21(a)

The Nova Scotia dividend tax credit rate for non-eligible dividends is defined as 22.94% of the federal gross-up, as revised by the NS 2015 budget.  For 2014 and earlier years, it was 38.5% of the federal gross-up.  The budget documents indicated that the dividend tax credit rate would be 3.5% of the taxable dividend, but the legislation revised the percentage of gross-up.

The Federal 2017 Fall Economic Statement announced that the gross-up rate for non-eligible dividends would be reduced to 16% for 2018, and to 15% for 2019 and later years.

The current and past Nova Scotia rates for non-eligible dividends are shown in the following table.  The 2019 and later rate will be in effect unless legislative changes are made by Nova Scotia.

The Nova Scotia table of marginal tax rates show the marginal tax rates for eligible and non-eligible dividends and other income.

Revised: September 20, 2024