SR&ED Across Canada
Unlike the federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit rate which has stayed fairly consistent at 35% (for CCPCs), the provincial tax credits have seen multiple changes over the last two decades.
Given the nature and complexity of taxation procedures, the best way to capitalize on the SR&ED program is to stay abreast of the changes in a timely fashion, so that the effects of the alterations can be accounted for while planning the following years’ business expenses and possible tax refunds. However, the CRA often makes this difficult by burying relevant information in mountains of jargon. To negate this inconvenience, we present an interactive map for our patrons and visitors – with updated information regarding the SR&ED tax credit rates in various provinces, along with qualifying details as and where required.
Summary of Provincial and Territorial R&D Tax Credit Rates
Provincial R&D Tax Credits
Below is a brief summary of the information presented above. Please check the relevant portion of the map, or consult the CRA website for more details, including any caps or special requirements.
| Jurisdiction | Schedule Title /Number | Description and Link to Form | Provincial SR&ED Summary | SR&ED Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | AB Sch. 29 | Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) | The Innovation Employment Grant provides qualified corporations with: An 8% payment for eligible R&D spending carried out in Alberta, up to the corporation’s base level of spending. An enhanced 20% payment for eligible R&D spending that exceeds the corporation’s base spending level. A firm’s base level of spending is determined by calculating the corporation’s average qualifying R&D spending over the previous 2 years. The grant provides benefits on up to $4 million in annual R&D spending. The Innovation Employment Grant is delivered through the corporate tax system and does not follow a formal application process. Eligible corporations will be able to claim the grant when they file their annual corporate tax returns. More can be found on the Government of Alberta website. | 8%-20% (after January 1, 2021) |
| Alberta | AB Sch. 29 LISTING | Listing of IEG projects claimed | The Innovation Employment Grant provides qualified corporations with: An 8% payment for eligible R&D spending carried out in Alberta, up to the corporation’s base level of spending. An enhanced 20% payment for eligible R&D spending that exceeds the corporation’s base spending level. A firm’s base level of spending is determined by calculating the corporation’s average qualifying R&D spending over the previous 2 years. The grant provides benefits on up to $4 million in annual R&D spending. More can be found on the Government of Alberta website. | |
| British Columbia | BC Sch. 425 - T666 | British Columbia (BC) Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit | The British Columbia scientific research and experimental development tax credit is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and is refundable for Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC)s up to 10% of the expenditure limit (i.e., $3m x 10% = $300,000) and non-refundable otherwise at a rate of 10% of scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) qualified British Columbia expenditures. More information is on the British Columbia website. | 10% |
| Manitoba | MB Sch. 380 | Manitoba Research and Development Tax Credit (2017 and later tax years) | The Manitoba research and development tax credit is administered by the CRA. The tax credit for research and development carried on in Manitoba under an eligible contract with a qualifying research institute is fully refundable. When eligible research and development is not undertaken under an eligible contract with an institute, 50% of the tax credit amount is refundable, the rest is non-refundable. More information about claiming SR&ED in Manitoba can be found on the Manitoba business website. | The amount of the credit is equal to 15% of eligible expenditures. When eligible research and development is not undertaken under an eligible contract with an institute, 7.5% of the tax credit amount is refundable, and 7.5% is non-refundable. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | NL Sch. 301 | Newfoundland and Labrador Research and Development Tax Credit (2004 and later taxation years) | The Newfoundland and Labrador research and development tax credit is administered by the CRA and is fully refundable at the rate of 15% of eligible expenditures. More information about claiming SR&ED in Newfoundland and Labrador can be found on the Newfoundland and Labrador Finance website. | 15% |
| New Brunswick | NB Sch. 360 | New Brunswick Research and Development Tax Credit (2011 and later tax years) | The New Brunswick research and development tax credit is administered by the CRA and is 15% Refundable on eligible expenditures incurred within New Brunswick. More information about claiming SR&ED in New Brunswick can be found on the New Brunswick website. | 15% |
| Northwest Territories | None. |
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| Nova Scotia | NS Sch. 340 | Nova Scotia Research and Development Tax Credit (2002 and later taxation years) | The Nova Scotia research and development tax credit is administered by the CRA and is fully refundable at the rate of 15% of eligible expenditures. Some more information is on the Nova Scotia Finance website. | 15% |
| Nunavut | None. |
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| Ontario | ON Sch. 508 | Ontario Research and Development Tax Credit | The Ontario research and development tax credit (ORDTC) is administered by the CRA. Qualifying corporations can claim a non-refundable tax credit on eligible scientific research and experimental development expenditures performed in Ontario to reduce their Ontario corporate income tax payable. The tax credit rate is 3.5%. | 3.5% |
| Ontario | ON Sch. 566 | Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | The Ontario innovation tax credit (OITC) is administered by the CRA. Qualifying corporations can claim a refundable tax credit for qualified expenditures on scientific research and experimental development performed in Ontario. The tax credit rate is 8%. | 8% |
| Ontario | ON Sch. 568 | Ontario Business-Research Institute Tax Credit | The Ontario Business Research Institute Tax Credit (OBRITC) is administered by the CRA. Qualifying corporations can claim a 20% refundable tax credit for qualified expenditures on scientific research and experimental development performed in Ontario. Find more information on Ontario Business Research Institute Tax Credit here. | 20% |
| Ontario | ON Sch. 569 | Ontario Business-Research Institute Tax Credit Contract Information | You must complete a copy of Schedule 569, for each eligible contract entered into with an eligible research institute. Find more information on Ontario Business Research Institute Tax Credit here. | |
| Prince Edward Island | None. |
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| Québec | RD-222 | Deduction respecting scientific research and experimental development expenditures | For information with respect to Quebec's research and development (R&D) tax credits, please visit the provincial Web site at: Scientific Research and Experimental Development – Quebec (French Only (Seulement en français.)) | |
| Québec | RD-1029.7 | Tax credit for salaries and wages (R&D) | For eligible R&D salaries incurred by the corporation and eligible expenditures incurred under a research contract entered into, the base rate of the tax credit is 14%. This rate may be increased to 30% if the corporation is a Canadian-controlled corporation whose total assets for the preceding taxation year, including that of associated corporations, are $50 million or less. When the company's total assets range from $50 million to $75 million, the 30% rate is reduced on a straight-line basis. The increased rate applies to expenditures limited to $3 million. For information with respect to Quebec's research and development (R&D) tax credits, please visit the provincial Web site at: Scientific Research and Experimental Development – Quebec (French Only (Seulement en français.)) | 14% - 30% |
| Québec | RD-1029.7.8 | Agreement between associated corporations regarding the expenditure limit (French Only (Seulement en français.)) | For information with respect to Quebec's research and development (R&D) tax credits, please visit the provincial Web site at: Scientific Research and Experimental Development – Quebec (French Only (Seulement en français.)) | |
| Québec | RD-1029.8.6 | Tax credit for university research or research carried out by a public research centre or a research consortium | For eligible expenses incurred by the corporation in respect of a research contract entered into after that day, the base rate of the tax credit is 14%. This rate may be increased to 30% if the company is a Canadian-owned company with total assets for the previous tax year, including associated companies, is 50 million or less. When the company's total assets range from $ 50 million to $ 75 million, the 30% rate is reduced on a straight-line basis. The increased rate applies to expenses limited to $ 3 million, even if the corporation applies for the tax credit in respect of more than one research contract. For information with respect to Quebec's research and development (R&D) tax credits, please visit the provincial Web site at: Scientific Research and Experimental Development – Quebec (French Only (Seulement en français.)) | 14% - 30% |
| Québec | RD-1029.8.9.03 | Tax credit for fees and dues paid to a research consortium | The corporation may claim a tax credit equal to 14%. This rate may be increased to 30% if the company is a Canadian-owned company with total assets for the previous tax year, including associated companies, is 50 million or less. When the company's total assets range from $ 50 million to $ 75 million, the 30% rate is reduced on a straight-line basis. The increased rate applies to expenditures limited to $ 3 million. For information with respect to Quebec's research and development (R&D) tax credits, please visit the provincial Web site at: Scientific Research and Experimental Development – Quebec (French Only (Seulement en français.)) | 14% - 30% |
| Québec | RD-1029.8.16.1 | Tax credit for private partnership pre-competitive research | For eligible expenses incurred by the corporation in respect of a partnership agreement entered into after that day (or the renewal or extension of a partnership agreement entered into after that day), the basic rate of the credit Tax is 14%. This rate may be increased to 30% if the company is a Canadian-owned company with total assets for the previous tax year, including associated companies, is 50 million or less. When the company's total assets range from $ 50 million to $ 75 million, the 30% rate is reduced on a straight-line basis. The increased rate applies to expenses limited to $ 3 million, even if the corporation applies for the tax credit in respect of more than one partnership agreement. For information with respect to Quebec's research and development (R&D) tax credits, please visit the provincial Web site at: Scientific Research and Experimental Development – Quebec (French Only (Seulement en français.)) | 14% - 30% |
| Saskatchewan | SK Sch. 403 | Saskatchewan Research and Development Tax Credit | The Saskatchewan research and development tax credit is administered by the CRA. The eligible R&D expenditures of Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPC), except for tax exempt corporations, qualify for a 10% refundable R&D tax credit subject to an annual limit of $1 million in eligible expenditures and to a 10% non-refundable R&D tax credit for the portion of eligible expenditures in excess of the $1 million annual limit.For the other corporations, the Saskatchewan R&D tax credit remains a non-refundable tax credit at the rate of 10% on eligible expenditures incurred in Saskatchewan. More information about claiming SR&ED in Saskatchewan can be found on the Saskatchewan website. | 10% |
| Yukon | YT Sch. 442 | Yukon Research and Development Tax Credit | The Yukon research and development tax credit is administered by the CRA and is refundable at the rate of 15% of eligible expenditures. An additional 5% is available on amounts paid or payable to the Yukon College. | 15% |
| Federal | T2038(IND) | Investment Tax Credit (Individuals) | ||
| Federal | T2SCH31 | Investment Tax Credit - Corporations | ||
| Federal | T661 | Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Expenditures Claim | ||
| Federal | T1 | Income Tax and Benefit Return | ||
| Federal | T2 | Corporation income tax return | The CRA provides two different T2 returns: 1. T2 Corporation Income Tax Return – This is an 8-page return that can be used by any corporation. 2. T2 Short Return – This is a 2-page return plus three schedules. See Guide T4012, T2 Corporation Income Tax Guide to check if you are eligible to use this return. |
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| Federal | T3RET T3 | Trust Income Tax and Information Return | ||
| Federal | T5013 | Partnership Information Return | ||
| The CRA has also created a summary of provincial and territorial research & development (R&D) tax credits. | ||||