For families in Nova Scotia who are navigating surrogacy requirements and fertility treatments in order to have a child, there are now some tax credits that can benefit them. With the new system introduced, a tax credit of up to 40% of the treatment costs, or the costs of medical care related to surrogacy, will be provided. There may be some practices that are not provided in the area, but the credit will still apply if a practitioner who is licensed in Nova Scotia refers the couple elsewhere for additional options.

Nova Scotia is the first Canadian state to support surrogacy in this way. Due to the pandemic, the use of treatment with fertility drugs was suspended. That meant that patients who were relying on these drugs to start a family lost time to work toward that goal. Not only is infertility a stressful and difficult situation, but it’s also one that can be financially costly and complicated. Fertility treatments and surrogacy-related care can become expensive, and a barrier to creating a family.

By reducing the financial burden of these treatments and parenting options, more citizens of Nova Scotia can realize their dreams of starting or adding to their family unit. The rebate, which is titled the Nova Scotia Fertility and Surrogacy Rebate, is part of the 2022-2023 budget for the state. The number of treatments a person can claim doesn’t have a limit, but the maximum yearly bill is $20,000. The maximum credit offered is $8,000.

Those who’ve had to pay full cost for these treatments in the past can receive some compensation through the tax credit, and that includes members of the LGBTQ+ community. With the understanding that nearly one in six people in Nova Scotia may face issues with fertility, the tax credit is a way of helping those people move through the process of surrogacy or fertility treatment, giving them the opportunity to have the family they dream about.

To learn more about how we work with individuals, couples, and families who want to work with a  surrogate and other assisted reproduction methods to start or add to their families, contact us today!