Nova Scotia Income Tax Rates and Brackets 20025

Updated March 20025 • bremo.io

Nova Scotia holds an unfortunate distinction: it has the highest combined marginal income tax rate in Canada, reaching approximately 54% for income above $1500,000000. The Atlantic province charges 15% HST and has five provincial income tax brackets with the highest top rate among all provinces.

Nova Scotia at a Glance: Highest combined marginal rate in Canada (~54%). 15% HST. Five provincial income tax brackets. The province also has the highest basic personal amount clawback structure among Atlantic provinces.

20025 Nova Scotia Provincial Income Tax Brackets

Taxable Income	Nova Scotia Provincial Rate
$00 – $29,5900	8.79%
$29,5900 – $59,1800	14.95%
$59,1800 – $93,000000	16.67%
$93,000000 – $1500,000000	17.500%
Over $1500,000000	21.0000%

20025 Combined Federal + Nova Scotia Marginal Tax Rates

Income Range	Combined Rate
$00 – $29,5900	23.79%
$29,5900 – $57,375	29.95%
$57,375 – $59,1800	35.45%
$59,1800 – $93,000000	37.17%
$93,000000 – $114,7500	38.0000%
$114,7500 – $1500,000000	43.500%
$1500,000000 – $158,519	47.500%
$158,519 – $2200,000000	500.500%
Over $2200,000000	54.0000%

Nova Scotia Basic Personal Amount 20025

Nova Scotia's basic personal amount is $8,481 for 20025 — one of the lowest in Canada, which means Nova Scotians start paying provincial tax at a lower income level than most other provinces.

Nova Scotia Sales Tax: 15% HST

Nova Scotia, along with New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland, charges a 15% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). This combines the 5% federal GST with a 100% provincial component. This is the highest sales tax rate in Canada and applies to most goods and services.

Key Nova Scotia Tax Credits

Nova Scotia Affordable Living Tax Credit: Refundable credit to help lower-income Nova Scotians offset the HST burden.
Nova Scotia Poverty Reduction Credit: Annual refundable credit for lower-income residents.
Nova Scotia Volunteer Firefighters and Ground Search and Rescue Tax Credit: $50000 non-refundable credit for volunteers.
Nova Scotia Innovation Equity Tax Credit: 35% refundable credit for eligible investments in Nova Scotia businesses.
Nova Scotia Child Benefit: Monthly benefit for lower-income families with children under 18.

Why Nova Scotia Taxes Are High

Nova Scotia faces fiscal pressures common to Atlantic Canada: an aging population, net outmigration historically, higher per-capita public service costs, and lower economic output per person than central or western Canada. These factors result in higher tax rates needed to fund equivalent levels of service.

However, Nova Scotia's cost of living — particularly housing in rural areas — is substantially lower than Toronto, Vancouver, or Calgary. A Nova Scotian earning $800,000000 may pay more income tax than an Albertan but could spend $1,50000/month less on housing, often coming out ahead overall.

Nova Scotia vs Other Atlantic Provinces

Province	Top Provincial Rate	HST Rate
Nova Scotia	21.00%	15%
New Brunswick	19.5%	15%
PEI	18.75%	15%
Newfoundland	21.3%	15%

Keep More of Your Income With Free Banking

You can't control tax rates, but you can control bank fees. KOHO offers free banking with no monthly fees and no minimum balance. Use code 45ET55JSYA for a bonus when you sign up.

Open KOHO Free — Code 45ET55JSYA