Government of Nova Scotiagov.ns.ca
gov.ns.caGovernment of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia, Canada
 
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Nova Scotians who purchase energy for their homes are eligible for a rebate equivalent to the provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

Your Energy Rebate is a program designed to help Nova Scotians with the rising cost of home energy. For most, the rebate is automatically credited on the bill by the power company and fuel distributors (home-delivered oil, propane, firewood and natural gas). For other energy sources, such as kerosene, coal and wood pellets, Nova Scotians are able to apply for the rebate.

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Residential Electricity Users.

Effective October 1, 2009, the electricity portion of the rebate was expanded to all residential usage. All electricity consumed for residential purposes on or after October 1, 2009, is eligible for the rebate. If you are being billed at the domestic service rate, the rebate is automatically deducted from your bill. The base charge is also eligible for the rebate.

Until September 30, 2009, only electricity that exceeded a threshold of 27.4 kilowatt hours per day times the number of days before October 1, 2009 on the bill was eligible for the rebate. The base charge was not eligible for the rebate.

Effective January 1, 2010, energy efficiency program charges are eligible for the rebate.

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Who is eligible for the rebate?

If you buy home energy for heating purposes, you are eligible to receive the rebate. The rebate does not depend on your income level.

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How much is the rebate?

It is on the total eligible cost of residential use energy and is equivalent to the provincial portion of the HST.

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What does the rebate apply to?

The rebate applies to all sources of residential use energy including home heating fuel, natural gas, propane, firewood, wood pellets, coal, kerosene and electricity.

Only purchases where HST has been paid to an HST registered vendor qualify for the rebate.

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When did the rebate program start?

The program started on December 1, 2006. In the case of electricity and natural gas, the rebate began showing on bills dated on or after January 1, 2007.

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About how much of a rebate can I expect to see over the course of the year?

It depends on how much energy you use. For example, after July 1, 2010, if your residential use energy purchases in a year totaled $2500, you'd save about $250.

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How long do I have to apply for my rebate?

If you have paid HST on your residential use energy purchase and the rebate was not deducted from your bill, you have 24 months from the date of purchase to apply for your rebate.

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