Saskatchewan Doubles Volunteer First Responder Tax Credit to $6,000

What this means for you: If you are a volunteer firefighter, search and rescue member, or medical first responder in Saskatchewan, your provincial tax bill is about to go down. The government is doubling the non-refundable tax credit you can claim, starting in 2026.

The Key Numbers

The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced new legislation to increase the Volunteer First Responders’ Tax Credit.

Old Amount: $3,000
New Amount: $6,000
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Who it helps: Over 4,000 volunteers in the province

This change effectively doubles the benefit you receive when you file your provincial income taxes. It is designed to lower the amount of tax you owe to the province, recognizing the critical and often dangerous work you do to keep communities safe.

Who is Affected

You may be able to claim this credit if you serve as a volunteer in one of the following roles:

Firefighters: Members of a volunteer fire department or fire brigade.
Search and Rescue: Volunteers involved in ground search and rescue operations.
Emergency Medical First Responders: Individuals who provide emergency medical services as volunteers.

To qualify, you must meet specific criteria regarding the number of hours you volunteer or the number of calls you respond to during the tax year.

What You Should Do

If you are currently a volunteer first responder or plan to become one, here are the steps to take advantage of this change:

Track Your Hours: Ensure you are accurately logging your volunteer hours and emergency calls. You will need to prove you meet the minimum service requirements to claim the credit.
Wait for 2026: Do not claim this increased amount on your 2024 or 2025 taxes. The $6,000 credit applies to the 2026 tax year, which means you will file for it in early 2027.
Keep Records: Save any official records from your fire department or search and rescue unit that verify your service.
Consult a Tax Professional: When filing your 2026 taxes, speak with an accountant or use tax software that has been updated with the new Saskatchewan provincial rates.

Other Changes in the Legislation

While the first responder credit is the headline news, the new legislation includes a few other financial updates for Saskatchewan residents:

Saskatchewan Chemical Fertilizer Incentive: This incentive has been extended for another five years to support large-scale industrial investment in the agriculture sector.
Indexed Tax Credits: The government has also updated the indexed amounts for personal tax credits. This includes adjustments for the basic personal amount, as well as credits for spouses, dependents, and seniors. These indexing changes ensure tax brackets keep pace with inflation.

Bottom Line

Saskatchewan is making it more financially rewarding to be a volunteer first responder. By doubling the tax credit to $6,000, the province is offering significant tax relief to the over 4,000 volunteers who risk their lives for public safety. Remember, this change takes effect for the 2026 tax year, so you have time to ensure your volunteer records are up to date.

Source: Saskatchewan moves to boost first responders’ tax credit, extend fertilizer incentive