SR&ED Tax Credit Calculator
Estimate your federal and provincial R&D tax credits in seconds. Enter your expenditures below to see how much your company could claim back.
Enter Your R&D Expenditures
Estimated Total Credit
$0
Credit Breakdown
Refundable for CCPCs
Ontario Innovation Tax Credit (OITC) (3.5%)
Refundable
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Get Your Free AssessmentThis calculator provides estimates only. Actual credit amounts depend on CRA review, eligible expenditure classification, and individual circumstances.
How SR&ED Tax Credits Work
Identify Eligible Activities
SR&ED covers work that advances technology through systematic investigation — including software development, engineering, and applied science.
Track & Document Expenses
Record salaries, contractor costs, and materials consumed during eligible R&D activities. Proper documentation is key to a successful claim.
File & Receive Your Refund
Submit your T661 form with your corporate tax return. CCPCs typically receive refundable cash credits within 60-120 days of filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I get back from SR&ED?
Canadian-Controlled Private Corporations (CCPCs) can receive a refundable tax credit of 35% on the first $3 million of eligible R&D expenditures, plus 15% on amounts above that. Combined with provincial credits, your effective rate can reach up to 64% in some provinces.
What is the SR&ED tax credit rate?
The federal SR&ED Investment Tax Credit (ITC) rate is 35% for CCPCs on the first $3 million of qualified expenditures, and 15% for all other corporations and for CCPC expenditures above $3 million. Provincial rates vary from 3.5% (Ontario) to 30% (Quebec for eligible SMEs).
Are SR&ED tax credits refundable?
For CCPCs, the enhanced 35% federal credit is fully refundable — meaning you receive cash back even if you owe no tax. The 15% base rate credit is non-refundable for non-CCPCs but can be carried forward 20 years or back 3 years. Provincial refundability varies by province.
Why is only 80% of contractor costs eligible?
Per CRA rules, only 80% of payments to arm's-length contractors or subcontractors for SR&ED work can be included in your eligible expenditures. This is automatically applied in our calculator.
What expenses qualify for SR&ED?
Eligible expenses include salaries and wages for employees performing SR&ED, 80% of arm's-length contractor costs, materials consumed or transformed during R&D, and certain overhead costs. Capital equipment is no longer eligible as of 2014.
What is the SR&ED filing deadline?
You must file your SR&ED claim within 18 months of the end of the fiscal year in which the R&D work was performed. For example, if your fiscal year ends December 31, 2025, your deadline is June 30, 2027.