Scientific Research and Experimental Development is a mouthful, but shortened to SR&ED or “shred” it may be familiar to business owners. A federal program designed to incentivize industry with tax credits, SR&ED and its benefits are enforced by the Canada Revenue Service (CRA). Most of the time, claims and reviews are a simple process– but the following are five brief tips from the experts here at Liu & Associates.
#5 Who can apply? Individuals, trusts and foreign-owned corporations are all eligible for SR&ED and its incentives. Canadian-owned private corporations can claim these benefits at an even higher rate thanks to lawmakers’ efforts to encourage local innovation.
#4 Prescribed proxy amounts (PPA) are used in case you are not prepared to claim all SR&ED overhead and expenses (traditional method). Using the proxy method, your PPA is calculated against the salaries of all staff involved with SR&ED.
#3 Supporting documentation may be needed if your business’ SR&ED claim is flagged for review by the CRA. Always keep any documentation that could support your claim, including but not limited to accounting records, prototypes, financial records and even photographs.
#2 Investment tax credit (ITC) is what is generated by a successful SR&ED claim– it can reduce your business’ taxable income. Select cases may even be eligible for partial refunds paid for by ITC.
#1 Tax deduction is tied directly to what your company spends on SR&ED. Third party payments; overhead and material budgets; salary, wages and contracting costs… All of these could result in a tax credit or an ITC refund.
These tips are only a summary of the details surrounding Scientific Research and Experimental Development. As a federal tax credit program, there are intricacies that should only be handled by your business’ chief financial officer or a trusted accountant. If you have any questions or concerns about SR&ED, contact or visit us today at Liu & Associates!