SR&ED Tax Credits: Elimination of the “Taxable Income” factor

Included in this year’s federal budget was a change as to what affects the expenditure limit in the Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit program – otherwise known as SR&ED.

The SR&ED tax incentive program’s goal is to encourage Canadian companies to conduct research and development (R&D) and achieve technological advancements in their attempt to create new or improved products and processes.

Any company in Canada undertaking eligible R&D activities could potentially claim SR&ED credits. With this change, it’s becoming advantageous to do so.

So what’s new?

The annual expenditure limit of $3 million for qualifying SR&ED expenditures will no longer be reduced if the prior year’s taxable income is greater than $500k.

So as a business owner, how does this affect you?

  • Starting with fiscal years ending on or after March 19, 2019, if your business is a Canadian-Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC), it could benefit from refundable credits at the enhanced federal SR&ED rate of 35% despite the prior year’s taxable income.
  • Non-CCPCs will still only be able to obtain the regular federal SR&ED rate of 15%.

Your SR&ED rates of course can still be affected by your operating and R&D expenses, capital, and assets.

Contact one of our specialists to discuss further what this budget change means for your business.

 

2019 FEDERAL BUDGET EXECUTIVE SUMMARY