Atlantic Canada Business Tax Credits & Incentives Directory

Why Explore Atlantic Business Tax Credits?

Atlantic Canada offers a unique ecosystem for business growth, innovation, and regional economic development. To foster entrepreneurship and job creation, all four Atlantic provinces – Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island – provide a range of business tax credits, grants, and incentives. These supports are designed to help you reduce corporate taxes, offset hiring and training costs, invest in new technology, and expand export activities.

Whether you operate a small business, tech startup, manufacturer, or export-driven company, understanding these programs can make a significant difference to your bottom line. Many credits can be stacked with federal incentives, maximizing your after-tax savings and supporting long-term growth in the Atlantic region.

Atlantic Business Tax Credit Directory

Browse the available credits and incentives in each province. Click through for detailed eligibility, claim process, and example calculations:

• Newfoundland and Labrador Business Tax Credits
  • NL Innovation and Business Investment Tax Credit
  • Film and Video Industry Tax Credit (NL)
  • Apprenticeship Tax Credit (NL)
  • Green Technology & R&D Credits (NL)
• Nova Scotia Business Tax Credits
  • Innovation Equity Tax Credit (NS)
  • Digital Media Tax Credit (NS)
  • Film Production & Animation Credits (NS)
  • Labour and R&D Incentives (NS)
• New Brunswick Business Tax Credits
  • Small Business Investor Tax Credit (NB)
  • Digital Media Development Program (NB)
  • Manufacturing and Processing Credit (NB)
  • Apprenticeship and Training Credits (NB)
• Prince Edward Island Business Tax Credits
  • Innovation & Development Tax Credit (PEI)
  • Small Business Investment Grant (PEI)
  • Film Production Credit (PEI)

Looking for credits across all of Canada? See our Canada-Wide Business Tax Credits Directory or explore Green & Clean Tech Business Credits.

Types of Atlantic Business Tax Credits

• Investment Tax Credits: Support for capital investment, R&D, and business expansion projects.
• Labour & Hiring Credits: Offsets for hiring new graduates, apprentices, or underrepresented groups.
• Digital Media & Technology Credits: Incentives for software, gaming, animation, and film production.
• Export & Regional Development Grants: Funding for export market development and regional economic growth.
• Green & Clean Tech Incentives: Support for low-carbon, energy-efficient, or environmental innovation projects.

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligibility for Atlantic business tax credits generally depends on:

• Type of business (incorporated, partnership, sole proprietor, non-profit)
• The nature of your activities (manufacturing, tech, R&D, export, etc.)
• Location of your operations and where expenses are incurred
• Compliance with provincial and federal tax filing requirements

Application steps often include:

1. Reviewing the official program guide for detailed criteria and eligible activities
2. Maintaining proper documentation: contracts, payroll, invoices, R&D records, etc.
3. Completing the relevant tax credit form (provincial or federal) when filing your corporate tax return
4. Submitting additional supporting documents or pre-approval requests if required
5. Retaining records for audit purposes (typically 6-7 years)

Stacking Atlantic and Federal Business Credits

Many Atlantic business tax credits can be stacked with federal incentives such as:

• SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) Tax Credit
• Accelerated Investment Incentive
• Canada Job Grant (for training)
• Clean Technology Investment Credit

For example, a Nova Scotia tech company can claim the provincial Innovation Equity Tax Credit and also the federal SR&ED credit for the same R&D expenditures, subject to program rules. Always check for:

• Order of credit application (some must be reduced by other credits first)
• Limits on double-dipping (same expense claimed twice for different credits)
• Provincial addbacks or adjustments on your T2 corporate return

Consult a tax professional for tailored stacking strategies and to maximize your after-tax benefits.

Best Practices and Claim Tips

• Track eligible expenses separately for each credit or incentive
• Keep detailed payroll, R&D, and investment documentation
• Submit pre-approval or registration forms promptly if required
• Monitor program deadlines and changing eligibility rules annually
• Work with a regional advisor or tax credit consultant for complex claims

Related Atlantic & Canada Business Credit Resources

• Canada-Wide Business Tax Credits Directory
• Canada Green & Clean Tech Credits
• Nova Scotia Business Credits
• New Brunswick Business Credits
• PEI Business Credits
• NL Business Credits

For personal tax breaks, see our Canada Individual Tax Credits Directory.