Applications for seniors’ property tax rebate open

The province is helping low-income seniors with their municipal residential property taxes. Applications for the 2021-22 Property Tax Rebate for Seniors open July 1.

The program offers eligible seniors a rebate of up to $800.

“We are pleased to once again be in a position to offer rebates to help seniors with low incomes pay their municipal residential property taxes,” said Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services Minister Patricia Arab. “The property tax rebate is one of many programs we provide throughout the year to make it easier for low-income seniors to manage their budgets.”

To qualify for the rebate, Nova Scotians must be 60 or older in 2021 and meet all of the following criteria:

  • 2020 municipal residential property taxes are paid in full
  • their name is included in the property taxes
  • receive or are eligible to receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance from Service Canada in 2021

Applications will be open from July 1 to Dec. 31.

Quick Facts:

  • 16,850 seniors received a rebate in 2020, totalling $8.8 million
  • in 2020, a direct deposit option was introduced, which resulted in 80 per cent of seniors receiving their rebates faster
  • the budget for the Property Tax Rebate for Seniors increased from $7.78 million in 2020-21 to $8.82 million in 2021-22
  • in 2018, the eligibility criteria were expanded to allow a rebate to include seniors who moved out of their primary residence but paid the previous year’s municipal taxes
  • seniors can apply for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program at the same time they apply for the property tax rebate – an easier process with more people expected to benefit