SR&ED for Start-ups

SR&ED (Scientific Research & Experimental Development) is a government program that rewards companies that perform R&D in Canada. The program makes Canada a more economically competitive and technologically advanced nation and it has been in existence since the 80’s. The Canadian incentive program is one of the most generous R&D programs in the world. 

The SR&ED program is not a grant, but strangely enough, does actually behave like a grant. Traditional grants are pre-approved before work commences. SR&ED grants are retroactive and approved after the fiscal year-end of the corporation.

SR&ED Claim for Start-Ups

If you answer yes to any of the following questions you could be sitting on an untapped refund.

• Are you incorporated in Canada with a Business Number (BN)?
• Do you operate in a sector of science, technology, or medicine?
• Have you or will you incur labour, subcontractor, material, or overhead expenditures?
• Have you developed any prototypes?
• Are you facing technological or scientific uncertainty with products, devices, or technologies?
• Are you attempting to achieve an advancement in knowledge in a field of technology, science, or medicine?

SR&ED Eligibility for Start-Ups

There are only 3 criteria for eligibility plus evidence:

• Scientific uncertainty or technological obstacle
• Scientific or technological advancement
• Systematic investigation
  • plus Technical content