Apply for a property tax rebate: Property Tax Rebate for Seniors
Property Tax Rebate for Seniors helps low-income seniors with the cost of municipal residential property taxes. Rebates are 50% of what you paid on last year’s property taxes, up to a maximum of $800. You can apply until 31 December 2024.
Apply for the Property Tax Rebate for Seniors to help with the cost of your municipal residential property taxes.
Rebate amount
The rebate amount is based on your municipal residential property taxes. The program provides eligible homeowners with a rebate of 50% of the municipal residential property taxes they paid for the 2023 tax year, up to a maximum of $800.
All of the amounts listed on your tax bill are eligible to be included in the rebate calculation, except amounts for:
- commercial property
- resource property (non-residential land or forest)
- municipal exemptions or rebates
Rebate calculation example
- Take the total taxes paid and subtract amounts for commercial property, resource property and municipal exemptions or rebates. This is your eligible amount.
- Divide the eligible amount by 2. This is your rebate amount.
- If your calculated rebate amount is more than $800, you receive the maximum amount of $800.
| Example of rebate calculation
|
||
|---|---|---|
| On your tax bill | Amount | Eligible for rebate calculation? |
| Total taxes | 1558.05 | |
| Residential property taxes | 986.25 | Yes |
| Commercial property taxes | -381.15 | No |
| Resource property taxes | -105.13 | No |
| Fire service taxes | 85.52 | Yes |
| Municipal exemption or rebate | -100.00 | No |
| Eligible amount | 971.77 | |
| Rebate (50% of eligible amount) | $485.89 | |
Eligibility
To qualify for the rebate, you need to meet all of the following criteria:
- your 2023 municipal residential property taxes are paid in full (your name is on the property title)
- you lived at the property as your primary residence in 2023 (the property can't be someplace that you live occasionally or a seasonal home)
- you receive or are eligible to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance from Service Canada
If you’re not already receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance, you can check with Service Canada to see if you’re eligible for them.
You need to apply for the rebate by 31 December 2024.
How to apply
- Complete both sides of the rebate application.
- Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
- Send your completed application and supporting documents (including tax information) by mail or fax. Or drop them off at Access Nova Scotia.
How long it takes
It should take 8 to 10 weeks to get your rebate. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly. If additional information is required to process your rebate, the Department of Service Nova Scotia contacts you by mail.
If you get your income tax refund by direct deposit from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the Department of Service Nova Scotia deposits your rebate into the bank account you have registered with CRA. If you don’t get your income tax refund by direct deposit, the department mails your rebate cheque within 8 to 10 weeks.
The Department of Service Nova Scotia will never text or email you for banking information or ask you to click a link to "deposit" your rebate.
Cost
There is no cost to apply for the rebate.
Before you start
Make sure you have:
- your Social Insurance Number
- Social Insurance Number for your spouse or partner, if applicable
- property tax bills and receipts showing that your 2023 property taxes are paid in full or a Municipal Property Tax Sheet completed by your municipality
You don’t need to provide your property tax bills and receipts or your Municipal Property Tax Sheet if your municipality provides your property tax information directly to the Property Tax Rebate for Seniors. Municipalities that provide property tax information directly to the Property Tax Rebate for Seniors include:
- Cape Breton Regional Municipality
- Halifax Regional Municipality
- Municipality of the County of Annapolis
- Municipality of the County of Antigonish
- Municipality of the County of Colchester
- Municipality of the County of Kings
- Municipality of the County of Pictou
- Municipality of the County of Richmond
- Municipality of the District of Argyle
- Municipality of the District of Barrington
- Municipality of the District of Chester
- Municipality of the District of Clare
- Municipality of the District of Digby
- Municipality of the District of East Hants
- Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
- Municipality of the District of Shelburne
- Municipality of the District of Yarmouth
- Region of Queens Municipality
- Town of Amherst
- Town of Bridgewater
- Town of Yarmouth
- West Hants Regional Municipality
You may need to provide additional supporting documents including:
- proof of power of attorney if you’re applying on behalf of another person
- Death Certificate, if you’re applying on behalf of the applicant’s estate
- proof of Guaranteed Income Supplement or Allowance