SR&ED Tax Credit Consulting
If your company is solving technical problems in Canada, the government may owe you money. The Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) program is Canada's largest R&D incentive, returning up to 35% of eligible costs as a refundable tax credit. AccountIF finds the eligible work others miss, writes claims that stand up to CRA scrutiny, and gets you the maximum refund.
Get a Free SR&ED AssessmentWhat is SR&ED?
SR&ED is a federal tax incentive administered by the CRA that rewards Canadian businesses for experimental development and applied research. You don't need lab coats or a breakthrough. Everyday product, process and software development often qualifies.
To be eligible, work must generally involve:
- Technological uncertainty — you couldn't be sure the outcome was achievable with existing knowledge
- Systematic investigation — you worked through it methodically, testing and iterating
- Technological advancement — you set out to advance your technical knowledge or capability
How much can you claim?
Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) can earn a 35% refundable investment tax credit on qualifying R&D expenditures — meaning cash back even if you pay no tax. Under Budget 2025, the enhanced-rate expenditure limit was raised to up to $6 million of qualifying spend. [Confirm current figures at go-live.]
- Other corporations generally earn a 15% credit on qualifying expenditures
- Capital expenditures on equipment used in R&D are eligible again under recent changes
- Many provinces offer additional R&D credits that stack on top of the federal claim
What costs qualify?
- Salaries and wages of staff performing or supporting R&D
- Materials consumed or transformed in your R&D work
- Contractor / subcontractor costs for eligible work done on your behalf
- Overhead attributable to R&D
- Capital assets (equipment, machinery) used in eligible R&D
Industries we work with
Software & SaaS · Manufacturing · Engineering · Food & agri-tech · Clean technology · Life sciences · Automation & robotics — and any business pushing a technical envelope.
Our SR&ED process
Why AccountIF for SR&ED
- Maximised, defensible claims — bigger refunds without the audit risk
- We speak both languages — technical and tax, so nothing eligible slips through
- Minimal disruption — we do the heavy lifting; your engineers keep building
- Success-aligned pricing — [contingency / fixed-fee options — CONFIRM your model]
Frequently asked questions
No. Eligibility is about the systematic attempt to overcome technological uncertainty — even projects that failed technically can qualify.
Often, yes. Building new algorithms, integrations or architecture where the outcome was genuinely uncertain can qualify.
Once filed with your corporate return, refundable claims are typically processed within a few months.
We prepare every claim to withstand review and represent you directly if the CRA has questions.
SR&ED claims generally must be filed within 18 months of your fiscal year-end.
This information is general and current as of [DATE]; SR&ED rules and figures change — contact us for advice on your specific situation.
Find out what your R&D could be worth.
Book a free eligibility assessment — we'll tell you quickly whether you qualify.
Get a Free SR&ED Assessment →