OECD Economic Survey: Research and Development Outlook in Canada
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the June 2012 results of the OECD Economic Surveys for Canada’s macro-economic state of affairs. The report indicates that the economy is picking up, with a positive outlook for continued moderate output growth and inflation. The OECD also cites innovation as a priority on the government’s […]
R&D incentive programs across the globe
In light of proposed changes to the SR&ED program announced in March’s federal budget, Canada retains a position as offering one of the most attractive R&D incentive programs globally. Let’s look at a few R&D tax credit programs across the globe to see how SR&ED stacks up. Currently, Canada’s SR&ED program offers a 35-percent refundable […]
Harper Government Strengthening Canada’s Science and Technology Advantage
During a speech today at the Creative Economy Summit, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Gary Goodyear, announced that Canada will continue to make key investments in science and technology. “Through our government’s science and technology strategy, we are keeping our economy strong, creating high-quality jobs and ensuring Canada is a premier destination […]
Productivity is Innovation, Not Invention
On October 17, 2011, the federally appointed panel, chaired by Open Text chief strategy officer Tom Jenkins, released an assessment of the government’s $7-billion in annual investment in “business R&D”. The report recommended significant changes to the incentive programs and singled out the Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit, the largest program, which […]
Surviving Foreign Competition
Aggressive offshore competition isn’t new to us here. Let’s face it – it can be tough to survive when products similar to yours can be purchased for a fraction of the price from a company that doesn’t even operate in Canada. This can lead to a huge reduction in sales, can result in non-profit situations, […]
What about failed projects?
We often tell people that failed projects are embraced by the SRED 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 […]
What if you get other government grants and loans?
With the number of government grants, loans and other assistance available, we have frequently been asked whether companies can still file for the SR&ED program if they’re taking advantage of other assistance programs. There are so many different programs available: from IRAP, to small business grants, to funding that will help make things more energy […]
Why do you need an SR&ED Consultant?
Nortel is in the news again! A giant in the IT Industry and Canada’s one time largest employer have been force to sell off it’s assets due to bankruptcy. This time it is their wireless network infrastructure to Nokia Siemens Networks. IT is an industry ripe with innovation and Canada needs innovation in order to […]
Good Documentation in SR&ED Claims
Thorough documentation is a necessity when making an SR&ED claim. Good documentation proves to the CRA reviewers who are looking into your claim that you have done all the work to get through the technical obstacles that you claim to have done. The more documentation that you have, and the better quality it is, the […]
Xerox Corp’s Continued R&D Efforts
There was an interesting article posted on the Canadian Business website yesterday about the Xerox corporation, and their continued dedication to R&D efforts despite the fact that they’ve had to make cutbacks everywhere else: The company is freezing salaries and suspending contributions to retirement plans as part of about US$550 million in cost savings. But […]