Healthy Living Incentive

What is it?

The tax credit, or healthy living incentive, is the result of a commitment made by the provincial government to provide an allowable tax expense of up to $500 per child to help with the cost of registering children and youth in sport or recreation activities that offer health benefits.

Who is eligible?

Children and youth aged 18 and under who are registered in an approved organized sport, physical recreation, or physical activity program will qualify for the tax credit. Only receipts from those groups who have registered with Nova Scotia Health Promotion are eligible.

How do sport and recreation organizations

become registered?

Sport, recreation and municipal organizations must register online with Nova Scotia Health Promotion for their members to benefit from the tax credit. The Bedford Beavers are registered for 2006 and are listed on the provincial government website of registered organizations: www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/HealthyLivingIncentive.html). Organizations must register by December 31 to be eligible for that tax year.

What is the registration criteria?

Programs that qualify to be registered include any organized sport, physical recreation or physical activity that is offered to the public by the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia or any municipal government within the province, or by a private organization registered to do business in Nova Scotia. This means everything from swimming lessons to dance classes to ski memberships.

How will the tax credit work?

Please note: The tax credit will only apply to those organizations who are registered with Nova Scotia Health Promotion. To receive the tax credit, parents/guardians must keep their receipt and claim the credit on their tax return.

How do I get my receipt?

2006 receipts will be sent out in late February. Please contact Lynn Loder, Treasurer jl_loder@ns.sympatico.ca