Nova Scotia Business Inc.

For more information, please contact:

Brenda Baker
Tel: 902.424.5054
Fax: 902.424.0664
1.877.297.2124 (in Nova Scotia)
1.800.260.6682 (in North America)
Email: gov.ns.ca

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) offers payroll rebates to companies locating or expanding in the province. Payroll rebates are performance-based, and promote employment creation in the province. 

The payroll rebate is a return (usually between 5%-10%) on a company’s gross payroll taxes. The rebate amount depends on the economic benefit generated to the Province and is generally paid out annually over a term not exceeding five years. To receive the rebate, the applicant must create a targeted number of jobs, at a minimum determined salary, within a set timeframe. If the company achieves these specific targets set out in the payroll rebate agreement, funds are rebated annually to the company. 

Eligibility criteria

• The company must be considered eligible according to NSBI’s operating regulations 
• The company should be profitable with a proven track record and have strong management 
• The project must have reasonable prospects for continued growth and success
• The project should be mainly export-oriented or in a growth sector identified in the provincial economic strategy 
• The project should create or retain sustainable long-term jobs; cyclical peaks in employment will not be considered
• The project should result in the creation or retention of at least 20 full-time employees in Nova Scotia (exceptions are considered if the project has high strategic value)

Requirements
The following is a summary of requirements for the application process for a payroll rebate: 

• Financial statements
• Management and legal representation
• Share-structure and share-ownership in the case of private companies
• Evaluation of the company and the project to ensure it has reasonable prospects (business plan)
• Evaluation of management (corporate and local)
• Summary of the expected resulting benefits to the province