Updates to the SR&ED Filing Requirements Policy

December 7, 2020 Danielle Cooper

On November 26, 2020, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced updates to the SR&ED Filing Requirements Policy to reflect legislative changes which were made in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, extensions to Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) reporting deadlines.

The SR&ED Filing Requirements Policy states:

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canada Revenue Agency has extended the filing due dates for submitting some 2019 and 2020 income tax returns, which resulted in the extension of certain SR&ED reporting deadlines. Additionally, the minister of national revenue under the Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19), issued an order to extend SR&ED deadlines normally occurring from March 13, 2020, through December 30, 2020, for six months, but no later than December 31, 2020. For more information, see Appendix A.¹

The policy now reflects the six-month extension which was put into place on August 31, 2020 through the passing of Bill C-20 which “allows the Minister of National Revenue under the, Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19) (TLOPA), to issue an order to extend the SR&ED reporting deadline”.²

In addition, if the SR&ED reporting deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the CRA will consider it to be filed on time if it is filed the next business day after the SR&ED reporting deadline.

The following table provides more details on the dates which are affected by the extension.³

We will keep our readers updated on any additional changes or updates to the SR&ED Filing Requirements Policy, other SR&ED policies, and reporting deadlines. For additional reading on how COVID-19 has impacted SR&ED please visit SR&ED Payments and COVID-19.