More arts and culture for kids

Provincial officials say Manitoba families will save a total of $3 million per year with a new arts and culture credit for kids.

The Children’s Arts and Cultural Activity Tax Credit provides a tax credit of up to $54 per child, which can be applied towards organized, supervised arts and cultural activities that take place outside of school. Examples of eligible activities include dance, drama, photography, music, language, gardening, 4-H, Scouts, Girl Guides, public speaking, cadets and tutoring.

“If you can expose them to more things, it helps students develop and this is another tax credit to help parents making those investments in their children,” said Manitoba Finance Minister Rosann Wowchuk.

The new credit is a 10.8 per cent non-refundable income tax credit, which is applied to eligible activity costs of up to $500 for children under the age of 16. With an estimated 186,000 Manitoba children eligible for the new credit, the total amount of the provincial credit could come to $3 million per year, if all parents were to claim it. Children under the age of 18 with disabilities also qualify for an additional $54 credit.