Annual Conference of the Canadian Tax Foundation (2011)

July 16, 2013 SRED

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Annual Conference of the Canadian Tax Foundation (2011) Discusses SR&ED

On November 29, 2011, the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) and Revenu Québec (“RQ”) participated in the Roundtable discussion at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Tax Foundation. The participants were Francois Bordeleau and Jim Gauvreau from the CRA and Bernard Nolan from RQ. The Roundtable was chaired by Claude Jodoin and Pierre Bourgeois. One of the topics on the agenda at this conference was to have been SR&ED, but it was not discussed due to time constraints. Instead, the CRA responded to the topics in writing after the conference concluded.

SR&ED Question and Answer

The CRA confirmed that they were reviewing the classification of activities that are to be considered SR&ED, but that until publication, “the existing SR&ED policy documents and related guidance, including IC86-4R3, remain in effect until the CRA’s policy review project is completed.” As such, circular IC86-4R3 continued to provide guidance on project eligibility criteria. The use of IC86-4R3 went on until its removal in 2012. The Informatino Circular, which was once the primary guideline for SR&ED eligibility, has since been replaced by the Eligibility of Work for SR&ED Investment Tax Credit Policy.

In addition to the policy documentation, definitions and concepts detailed in the SR&ED guide would remain unchanged. Also, the CRA confirmed that public consultations were in progress and would continue to be undertaken in the foreseeable future. The most recent public consultations took place in 2012 and 2013.