Minister Shea highlights new tax credit for parents (Kamloops, British)

Kamloops, British Columbia, January 19, 2012 ... The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, accompanied by Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Kamloops - Thompson - Cariboo, today visited the Kamloops Academy of Dance to promote the children's arts tax credit, a new non-refundable credit passed in the 2011 federal budget.

"Parents whose children participate in paid artistic, cultural, recreational, and developmental programs will now enjoy the same benefit as parents whose children participate in paid programs of physical activity. Our Government believes whether a child is inspired by Justin Bieber, Hedley, Ryan Reynolds, Trevor Linden or Maelle Ricker, parents should receive a tax credit to help pay for the programs that will help their children live out those dreams," said Minister Shea.

"The children's arts tax credit will help families enroll their kids in artistic programs in their communities. I'm happy our government is making the arts accessible to more children," added Cathy McLeod.

In addition to fitness programs covered by the children's fitness tax credit, parents can now claim money spent on programs that focus on fine arts, music, performing arts, outdoor wilderness training, learning a language, studying a culture, tutoring, and more. When parents claim the children's arts tax credit-up to a maximum of $500 of the cost of programs-they save as much as $75 at tax time per child claimed.

To find out if your child's program is eligible for the children's arts tax credit, go to www.cra.gc.ca/artscredit.

On Thursday, January 19, 2012, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, accompanied by Cathy McLeod, MP, Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo (left), visited the Academy of Dance in Kamloops, to promote the Children's Arts Tax Credit. This new tax credit, passed in Budget 2011, is available to parents whose children participate in artistic, cultural, recreational, and developmental programs.

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FOR BROADCAST USE:

National Revenue Minister Gail Shea, accompanied by Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Kamloops - Thompson - Cariboo, today visited the Kamloops Academy of Dance to promote the new children's arts tax credit. The credit can save parents up to $75 at tax time when they claim the costs of artistic, cultural, recreational and developmental programs for their children.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Nancy Bishay
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
613-995-2960

Noel Carisse
Canada Revenue Agency
Media Relations
613-952-9184

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