Who Can Qualify for R&D Tax Incentives in Canada?

Posted: Mar 07, 2011 |

The Canadian government has a tax incentive called the SRED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) tax credit program. It provides tax credits and refunds to companies large and small that undertake research within Canada.  The Canadian government gave out over $4.5 billion last year in tax credits so it is concept that they are really serious about.

There are some great things about this R&D tax incentive:

1. You do not have to be a large company to qualify for the tax credits.

2. It is a tax credit so that means that you can put it against any company tax that is due and get cash back if you have not paid enough tax.

3. The tax can be back dated by three years or carried forward for twenty years. This is very advantageous in tax planning.

4. Several provinces of Canada also offer extra tax incentives for local R&D activities.

5. The R&D definition is such that you may even be undertaking R&D development without realizing it.

Let us look at what kind of companies qualify for the tax first.  You can be a large corporation, a multi national or even a small company or partnership.  Providing you are undertaking R&D work within Canada you are probably going to qualify.


The amount of tax that you can gain is impressive.  A Canadian controlled private corporation can gain up to 35% of the first $2m investment and then up to 20% of the rest.  Other companies, proprietorships, partnerships and even trusts can earn up to 20% of their research costs in tax credits.

The definition of R&D is also quite wide and involves such activities as:
•    Developing a new product, device or material.
•    Making significant enhancements to a product, device or material.
•    Creating or improving a new manufacturing process.
•    Creating or improving a major new way of working.
•    Lessening the environmental impact of your business, manufacturing processes or products.
•    You company undertakes some technological advancement.

The Canadian Revenue Authority (CRA) state that "Work must advance the understanding of scientific relations or technologies, address scientific or technological uncertainty, and incorporate a systematic investigation by qualified personnel."  Their list of activities that qualify for SRED tax credits includes experimental development, applied research, basic research and support work.

They also have a number of activities that do not qualify and these are usually "business as usual" activities that you would expect a company to undertake such as product production or manufacturing, market research, sales promotions and testing. They also disregard style changes and minor changes to products.

Prospecting for minerals, gases or petroleum is not counted as R&D for these tax purposes. Research in the humanities and social sciences field is similarly disregarded.

The SRED tax program is very generous and wide ranging and the Canadian government is very keen to encourage research and development from even the smallest business.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/ask-an-expert-articles/who-can-qualify-for-rd-tax-incentives-in-canada-4363389.html

    Article Tags:

    sred

    ,

    research and development tax credits

    We think so, and if the Scientific Research and Experiment Development Program, (aka " SR& ed ) pours billions of dollars into Canadian company coffers every year why wouldn't you want to accelerate the access to cash for those claims and maintain your own competitive posture in your industry.

    By: KristHilesl Businessl Jan 11, 2011

    R&D Capital offers tax credit financing to provide fast rescue money support for growing businesses. Qualified company can have refundable tax credits with credit reimbursement history from different sectors such as manufacturing, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, engineering, and logging. Moreover, the company assesses and disburses loans within 10 days for SRED Canada after proven the asset liquidity of a certain firm.

    By: Christina Dowelll Finance> Loansl Sep 06, 2011

    There are many consultant that I can choose from buying in business owners and CFOs who are not so familiar with the Canadian SRED program as much as they would like to know the three things when we sat down with them and talk SR & ED tax credit and funding SRED.

    By: Marjorie Danielsl Finance> Loansl Jul 22, 2011

    Canada's SR&ED; tax program offers a 20% tax credit on expenses, including costs and overhead related to research and development. Large international companies that are considered to be Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPC) can get a 35% tax credit on up to $2 million and 20% after that. Companies can use these tax credits towards taxes they owe or get them in the form of a refund.

    By: Geoffrey Tarrancel Finance> Taxesl May 19, 2011

    You may have already heard about the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED;) program that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) developed. It was created to support and encourage technological development and innovation in Canada. But there's a very good chance that even if you've heard of the program, you aren't currently claiming for it – it is estimated that about 50% of eligible companies don't actually claim for the program.

    By: Volha Ianovskaial Business> Small Businessl Nov 28, 2010

    Find out the best advice on the way to apply Balanced Scorecard system in various companies. Find out more on Balanced Scorecard advantages in this article.

    By: Wendelll Business> Ask an Expertl May 25, 2012
    Gang Liu

    The current economic climate of China is growing at a rapid pace. China is even predicted too become the top manufacturer in the near future! China currently provides imported products to a majority of nations in the world today. One of these countries is Australia. In Australia, the wholesale business industry is a big success and many businessmen are looking for ways to make sure they improve their trading relationship with China.

    By: Gang Liul Business> Ask an Expertl May 25, 2012

    The most important thing to consider whenever creating business in south America is always to defeat the language barrier and a superb technique to do this if you are willing to know would be to master Spanish language as well as Portuguese.

    By: Kristy Turnerl Business> Ask an Expertl May 24, 2012

    The Latin America market is among the swiftest widening in the world that's the reason why it is an excellent spot to build organizations or purchase shares from countries in this region. The location has great macroeconomic principles and along with sound political weather, it is quite the spot for traders to put their money in.

    By: Kristy Turnerl Business> Ask an Expertl May 24, 2012

    TV distributors are extremely getting more intense with the promotional plans and methods they utilize to get clients. You need to give credit to many of these sellers as most of these techniques call for big amounts of money and creativity to draw in attention to their items and frequently, even poach prospective clients from their rivals.

    By: Kristy Turnerl Business> Ask an Expertl May 24, 2012

    Canada's SR&ED; tax program offers a 20% tax credit on expenses, including costs and overhead related to research and development. Large international companies that are considered to be Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPC) can get a 35% tax credit on up to $2 million and 20% after that. Companies can use these tax credits towards taxes they owe or get them in the form of a refund.

    By: Geoffrey Tarrancel Finance> Taxesl May 19, 2011
    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast