News and Insights

Nova Scotia Budget 2016

Tax Development Apr 19, 2016

Finance and Treasury Board Minister Randy Delorey presented Nova Scotia’s 2016-2017 budget. This year’s budget addresses economic growth, education and health care, in addition to focusing on opportunities for youth and job skills training. The province continues to employ its prudent strategy of responsible fiscal management, and only one minor tax change was announced.

Tobacco Tax

The province announced an increase of two cents per unit to tobacco taxes, effective April 20, 2016, along with an increase in the tax rate applied to cigars. The province anticipates that these increases will continue to encourage a reduction in the consumption of tobacco.

HST Rebates

As in its previous budget, and contrary to the 2014 Tax and Regulatory Review Report recommendation, the province has once again confirmed that the point-of-sale rebates currently in place for the provincial component of the HST will be maintained on the following products:

  • children’s clothing;
  • children’s diapers;
  • children’s footwear;
  • feminine hygiene products; and
  • printed books. 

Additional information on the 2016 Nova Scotia budget is available on the province’s web site at:
Nova Scotia Budget 2016-2017