A new credit was introduced for teachers this year to encourage involvement in volunteer activities at qualifying schools.
The B.C. Education Coaching Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit for teachers and teaching assistants who volunteer for at least 10 hours of extracurricular coaching activity in the tax year. The provincial credit amount is $500, providing a tax benefit up to $25.30.
The credit is available for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 tax years. The taxpayer must be a resident of B.C on December 31 to quality for the credit. The extracurricular activities must be performed after school or on weekends, and can include sports, arts and many more activities.
In order for the school qualify, it must provide instruction for the children from kindergarten though grade 12. This would include public schools, francophone schools, independent schools and First Nation schools.
Activities undertaken at preschools would not be eligible to quality for this credit.