Culture gets a tax break

Finance Minister Rosann Wowchuk is joined by children from the India School of Dance, Music and Theatre in Winnipeg at the announcement of details of a new tax credit to help more Manitoba children participate in organized, supervised arts and cultural activities
May 5, 2011

NEW TAX CREDIT DESIGNED TO HELP MORE MANITOBA CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

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Families Will Save $3 Million: Wowchuk

The province is helping parents to enrich the lives of children through organized and supervised arts and cultural activities by introducing a new Children’s Arts and Cultural Activity Tax Credit, Finance Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced today.
The tax credit will be available for activities taking place in Manitoba outside a school’s regular program.  It will enable families to earn a credit of up to $54 per child for eligible costs incurred starting this year.  Families representing up to 186,000 children could save up to $3 million annually, said Wowchuk.
“This government believes that all children should have the opportunity to take part in things they love, whether that’s taking dance or guitar lessons or learning how to paint.  This tax credit will give families the opportunity to introduce their children to fun and exciting activities,” the minister said.
Families will be able to apply the credit to organized and supervised arts and cultural activities taking place in Manitoba and outside a school’s regular program.  Examples include activities involving:

• the arts (dance, drama and photography);
• culture (music and languages);
• wilderness and the natural environment (gardening, 4-H and scouts);
• the development of interpersonal skills (girl guides, public speaking and cadets); and
• receiving tutoring in school subjects.

“This new tax credit will benefit many, many families and will help children access organized arts and cultural activities, which will enrich their lives,” said Pamela Rebello, executive director of the India School of Dance, Music and Theatre.
The Children’s Arts and Cultural Activity Tax Credit is a 10.8 per cent non-refundable income tax credit.  Eligible activity costs of up to $500 can be claimed annually for a child under the age of 16.  A family qualifies for an additional $54 in income tax savings for a child with a disability under the age of 18 on whom at least $100 is spent on eligible activities.

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