Administered by Government of Nova Scotia · Last verified: July 2026
A fully refundable provincial credit worth 15% of research and development spending done in Nova Scotia. It applies to the same expenditures that qualify for the federal scientific research program, so businesses already filing federal R&D claims can layer this on top. The credit applies first against provincial taxes owing and any remainder is refunded.
You claim this on your tax return, so the money comes back as a lower tax bill or a refund after you file. If you missed it in a past year, you can often still recover it by adjusting a prior return.
Take the 3-minute quiz to find out, and see every other Canadian program you qualify for at the same time.
Check my eligibilityNova Scotia Research and Development Tax Credit is generally open to incorporated businesses, in Nova Scotia, that carry out research and development. Confirm the full criteria on the official program page before applying.
The estimated value is 15% of eligible R&D expenditures, fully refundable. The actual amount depends on your eligible costs, the program's budget, and approval.
R&D tax credits are tied to the SR&ED filing window, a hard cutoff of about 18 months after your fiscal year-end. Within it a missed claim can usually still be filed or amended; after it, it is lost. Confirm your dates with your accountant.
1. Identify eligible R&D work carried out in Nova Scotia 2. Prepare your federal research claim 3. File Schedule 340 with your T2 return within 18 months of year end
18 months after the corporation's tax year end.