We often tell people that failed projects are embraced by the SR&ED program, and sometimes it can be a little hard to understand exactly why. I mean, isn’t the program meant to promote innovation, and to encourage technological development? If so, then why are projects that don’t result in a more innovative product or process applicable for the SR&ED program?

This goes back to the three criteria of the program: Technological Advancement, Technological Obstacles and Technical Content.

When looking at a failed project, you most likely faced a number of Technological Obstacles while working on it – these obstacles are anything that prevented you from getting to the final objective, so obviously in a failed project you faced a number of obstacles.

The technical content shows the systematic investigation that was done while trying to reach the final objective, which would be done for both failed and successful projects.

Lastly, your knowledge has been expanded in the instance of failed projects as well – in these instances, you now have the knowledge that there is no way that you have found to get to the final objective.

So yes, failed projects definitely qualify for the SR&ED program, as long as they too fulfill the three criteria of the program.

Canadian companies definitely have an advantage when it comes to research and development tax credits. Canada is rated among the Top G20 countries when it comes to Research and Development. The government encourages Canadian companies to do their research in Canada with tax credits and cash back incentives to remain manufacturing in Canada.

Foreign companies can benefit as well. The benefit to a foreign owned company can be the significant reduction or even elimination of their Canadian taxes owed, with the benefit of retaining the rights to the SR&ED program.

Foreign companies become eligible when they become a subsidiary of a foreign parent and can claim 20% tax credits on qualifying SR&ED activities. Another way to become eligible is to become a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC), as long as an owner owns less than 50% of the company’s shares, so the majority of ownership is Canadian. Becoming a CCPC allows the company to claim 35% cash back on qualifying SR&ED activities.

For more information check out this link: http://investincanada.gc.ca/eng/publications/rd-tax-credit-fact-sheet.aspx

There seems to be an endless amount of paperwork required to keep a successful business operating efficiently and effectively these days. With all of the different regulatory, industry association requirements and internal documents to deal with, adding another heap of tediousness might seem counterproductive. Northbridge clients know that Research & Development document control is one of the most critical in daily operations because it directly impacts the company’s revenue stream; if you don’t keep proper R&D records the CRA has the right to refuse your annual claim outright. Here are some quick and easy ways to ensure at least a bare minimum is being adequately logged:

1. Keep any emails discussing projects involving installation of new machinery, new products, or improvements to existing processes and products. A great way to effectively database these emails, company-wide, is to set up an email were employees can forward relevant emails which pertain to projects on the go (i.e.: research@company.com). This also ensures that if someone deletes their Inbox folder accidentally that the backups are still available.
2. Meeting notes and other logs of discussions are very useful in tracking project development. The compiling of typical and project info talked about during meetings shows that there is an ongoing environment in the organization which promotes and encourages innovation and puts specific timelines on issues and projects which are traceable.
3. In certain manufacturing environments it is hard to sit down at a computer and allocate time to projects and fill in spreadsheets (especially if there’s no computer in that department!). In these cases a simple log book or printout of a spreadsheet will suffice, it’s getting the technically ‘un-savvy’ personnel to fill it out on a daily or weekly basis which could be a challenge.
4. There are many companies which employ external quality assurance programs such as ISO and GMP measures, these systems generally have templates which can assist in the detailed tracking of R&D projects. The resident QA/QC manager should have access to this information through an available add-on for additional purchase.

While this is the bare-bones of what the CRA would require there are many other easy and effective ways to implement project tracking. There are key elements which the CRA looks for and if they are missing it could mean a rejected submission. For first time filers this rule is somewhat relaxed but going forward a company is required to keep proper documentation to ensure effective internal management of the SR&ED program. Northbridge gives (free of charge) each and every client the tools and training they need, on a department basis, to successfully track projects which means no hassle the next time around!