Project Overview
The Province of Nova Scotia started a comprehensive review of Nova Scotia’s tax system in the spring of 2008. The project looks at how provincial taxes can enable government’s fiscal, economic, environmental and social goals. This requires:
- Assessing the level of burden and fairness of the tax system
- Comparing Nova Scotia’s tax system to other jurisdictions in Canada and internationally
- Identifying best practices in tax policy
- Quantifying the impact of taxes on household and business choices that drive the economy
The Department of Finance has been leading the review with participation and support from several other government departments. The project has a broad, long-term mandate, and work will extend into the next fiscal year.
Public consultation about the tax system is part of the review. This website will be used to provide the public with information about the tax system. The government will also seek public input through other means on how the tax system can be used to enable government goals.
The Department of Finance is currently focused on preparation of the 2009-2010 provincial budget. Tax review work will resume after the budget.
Getting Started – Examining the Current Tax System
A key objective of the review is to provide the public with more information about the tax system. Tax systems are designed with the entire population and the entire economy in mind. However, they also involve complex interactions between governments, businesses and individuals.
This website provides statistical information about taxes Nova Scotians pay to all levels of government. The analysis focuses on two groups of taxpayers: households and corporations. We look at the relative tax burdens at different income levels, and the Nova Scotia tax burden is compared to that of other jurisdictions in Canada and around the world.