Legislation proposed to provide tax credits for volunteer firefighters, search and rescue volunteers

Mar. 26, 2024, Fredericton, N.B. – Legislation introduced today, if passed, would provide provincial non-refundable tax credits for people who volunteer as firefighters and search and rescue workers.

“Volunteer firefighters and search and rescue personnel are two vital groups we often count on in times of critical need,” said Finance and Treasury Board Minister Ernie Steeves. “We understand that recruitment and retention is key for both of these services, and it is our hope that these proposed tax credits will help bring in and keep more of these valuable public safety volunteers.”

Beginning with the 2024 taxation year, the tax credits would be provided to those who perform at least 200 hours of eligible service in a year. Those hours could be combined between the two volunteer positions, however a person could only claim one of the two credits.

The proposed eligibility conditions match those of the existing federal tax credits.

It is estimated that 3,000 New Brunswick tax filers would benefit from these new credits.

“The responsibilities of firefighters, for example, have expanded greatly and they are often on the scene for car crashes, medical calls, overdoses, off-road rescues and forest fires,” said Steeves.

Steeves said the proposed amendments to the New Brunswick Income Tax Act would provide a maximum annual provincial tax credit of $470.