Good Harbour Laboratories now provides Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) services for all eligible product development testings to our clients.
What is SR&ED?
The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) are the activities performed by a company for the purposes of research and development involving basic or applied research, or experimental development in advancing technology, in order to improve or develop new materials, devices, products or processes.
What is the SR&ED Tax incentive program?
The Canadian government provides tax credits and refunds to any business operating and carrying out R&D in Canada (certain expenditures for SR&ED performed outside of Canada are also permitted). This program benefits business both by allowing deductions of certain expenses from their income for tax evaluation, and by providing a tax credit that can reduce the amount of taxes paid, or even result in a refund.
It is the largest single source of funding for industrial research and development in Canada, hence why businesses that specialize in these projects are being drawn toward the sr&ed canada grant to help benefit their business and their employees. Each year, the SR&ED program provides over $4 billion in investment tax credits to qualified claimants, of which 75% are small businesses.
How do I know if I am eligible?
Any business that performs activities of scientific research, applied research or experimental development is eligible for this program so long as they meet the criteria identified in section 248(1) of the Income Tax Act summarized as:
“..systematic investigation or search carried out in the field of science or technology by means of experiment or analysis… to advance scientific knowledge or to achieve technological advancement.”
It isn’t necessary to have been successful in your SR&ED activities. As long as you have incurred SR&ED expenses in a legitimate attempt to succeed, you could qualify. The investigation or search must be seeking scientific or technical advancement. The attempt to achieve advancement is to resolve what the scientific or technological uncertainty is for the targeted outcome of the research and development work undertaken.
How Good Harbour Laboratories can help?
GHL provides information for all the testing/verification/technical assistance to clients to support their SR&ED claims.
GHL has now expanded on that service to offer our clients SR&ED Tax Credit service. The key services that we provide include:
- Assess your claim eligibility for qualified project activities
- Identify and provide all supporting evidence (design of experiments, record of resources, test data and results, analysis, conclusions, etc.)
- Help in writing the project technical narratives
- Provide estimates of claim value
- Assist with financial supporting documents
- Help you maximize your claim amount
- Walk you through all the necessary steps and documentations required to submit your claim(s)
