Getting Ready to Submit Your SR&ED Claim? Here Are Some Helpful Tips

Amidst the ever-evolving business landscape, organizations must leverage opportunities that can bolster their financial position and stimulate growth. The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive program, offering substantial tax credits and refunds, presents a unique opportunity for innovative Canadian businesses to access funding. The SR&ED program is aimed at motivating companies across diverse sectors to conduct research and development (R&D) within Canada. By providing significant tax credits for eligible expenditures and subsequent refunds, it encourages domestic innovation.

For companies with a December 31st fiscal year-end, the deadline to submit SR&ED claims is June 30th. The CRA recently published an article with some great information for those preparing their claims. We’ve drafted a short summary of their tips and added a few additional things to keep in mind to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Important Factors For Claiming SR&ED Tax Credits

To effectively navigate the SR&ED claim process, understanding the eligibility requirements, the importance of documentation, and the potential benefits is key.

Eligibility

To be eligible for SR&ED refunds and tax credits, your business activities must meet the defined criteria. These activities must be undertaken to advance our scientific or technological knowledge base. Furthermore, they should solve a problem that cannot be addressed through routine engineering or standard procedures. We go into more depth about SR&ED eligibility in this blog post. 

Documentation

The foundation of a successful SR&ED claim lies in meticulous documentation. Records should clearly state the project objective, scientific uncertainties faced, project time allotment of salaried employees, contractor expenses and material consumed. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) strongly advises businesses to maintain contemporaneous documentation to validate the SR&ED work performed. We recently hosted a webinar with our partners at Welch LLP, where they went over the importance of good record-keeping by showing real-world court cases that could have been avoided. Watch the recording here.

Benefits of Claiming SR&ED

Though the process of documenting your SR&ED projects and submitting a robust claim may be time-consuming, the benefits can vastly outweigh the costs. For Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs), the federal portion of the refundable tax credit can reach up to 35% on the initial $3 million of qualifying expenditures and 15% on any excess amount. Additionally, your province or territory may provide additional R&D tax credits you claim along with the federal SR&ED claim. See if your province or territory offers additional support here. 

Common Errors in SR&ED Claims

Ensuring the accuracy and completeness of your SR&ED claim is crucial. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Insufficient Documentation: Often, businesses fail to provide adequate documentation supporting their SR&ED activities, leading to unsuccessful claims. Detailed, contemporaneous records are vital for corroborating your claim.
• Ineligible Activities: Not all R&D activities qualify for SR&ED refunds and tax credits. Activities should directly contribute to resolving a scientific uncertainty or advancing technology to be eligible.
• Miscalculation of Expenditures: Overlooking or incorrectly calculating eligible expenditures can lead to a reduced refund or tax credit. Ensure you account for all relevant costs associated with your SR&ED activities. Check out our SR&ED calculator to get a good approximation of what your refund will be.

Capitalize on Your Accruing SR&ED Tax Credits for Competitive Edge

The SR&ED tax program promotes innovation and the development of novel technologies, creating an environment ripe for progress and growth. The refunds can be reinvested in further R&D activities, cultivating a cycle of continuous innovation. Savvy companies take advantage of SR&ED tax credit financing to use the value locked up in their accruing tax credits to access non-dilutive capital throughout the year rather than waiting for the annual refund. Accessing that capital on a schedule that aligns with the cash burn of a growing company is a strategic way to gain a competitive edge. See how SR&ED financing helped these innovative companies.

In sum, the SR&ED program is a potent tool for businesses to harness innovation for growth while reaping considerable tax incentives. Being mindful of the eligibility criteria, the importance of thorough documentation, potential benefits, and common errors can aid in ensuring a successful SR&ED claim.

While the process might appear complex, the potential tax benefits make it an invaluable endeavour for businesses engaged in R&D. With the right guidance and understanding, you can adeptly maneuver through the SR&ED claim process, foster innovation, and secure robust financial support.

Remember, it is advisable to consult with a tax professional experienced in the SR&ED program. This can aid in maximizing your claim, avoiding common errors, and ensuring your business is ideally positioned to draw maximum benefits from the SR&ED program. Reach out to us if you’d like to be connected to one of our experienced SR&ED consulting partners.