Work here and save money

With the arrival of spring it is time for potential graduates in Dartmouth South - Portland Valley and across Nova Scotia to start making plans for the future. If you are currently weighing your post convocation career options, you should know that by choosing to stay and work in Nova Scotia, you can save money with the Graduate Retention Tax Rebate.
The tax incentive started in 2009 and was one of our NDP government's key election commitments to help keep university and community college grads in Nova Scotia. Depending on your post graduate degree or certificate you may be entitled to reduce your income taxes by a maximum of $2,500 per year, for a total of $15,000 over a six-year period.
For example, if you are currently attending the Waterfront Dartmouth Campus of the NSCC and are expecting to graduate in the fall of 2010, you will be able to claim a maximum of $1,250 on your 2010 income tax. If you remain living and working in Nova Scotia you can continue to claim $1,250 in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 up to a total of $7,000 over that period.
To be eligible for the rebate you must have graduated from a program that is offered on a full-time basis after Jan. 1, 2009. That being said, it doesn't matter if you attended college or university in Nova Scotia.
If for example you attended the University of Alberta, but returned home to Dartmouth upon graduation you can still receive the rebate. You do however, have to be a current full-time resident of Nova Scotia.
If you've already graduated you may be eligible for the rebate on your 2009 tax return. Just refer to form NS 428 on your T4 package. You will need to attach a copy of your credential to your tax return, or if you are applying online make sure to save a copy for verification. If you already submitted your income tax you can contact Revenue Canada at 1-800-959-8281 and request an adjustment.
Keeping university and college graduates in Nova Scotia is crucial to our province's economic future. An educated and well trained workforce helps keep local organizations strong and businesses competitive. This investment should provide graduates with an economic advantage to staying here in Nova Scotia.
Our government also realizes that along with providing an incentive to graduates, it's important to provide them with strong employment opportunities.
Creating the jobs our economy needs is a priority of our government and right now we are back in the NS Legislature working to make life better for today's families. Over the coming weeks we have a lot of work to do and some tough decisions to make.
To discuss this or any other issue with me just call 463-6673.