SR&ED news and updates

Each issue will bring fresh insights, helpful resources, and the latest on all things SR&ED, from policy updates to upcoming webinars.

We are eager to share what we’ve got planned in celebration of Small Business Week, taking place next week.

We’re also excited to put a spotlight on our revamped Support services and tools web page. The SR&ED program is continuously working to improve the client experience, and this newly re-designed page makes it easier to find the help you need, based on where you are in the claim process.

As part of this edition, we want to highlight some of the ways we’re connecting with innovators and entrepreneurs across the country to raise awareness about the program.

Finally, we’re pleased to announce upcoming SR&ED webinar dates so you can plan ahead. We’re also providing a quick recap of recent updates to our policies and guides.

Whether you’re new to the program or a seasoned SR&ED claimant, there’s something here for everyone!

Latest SR&ED news

Small Business Week: October 19 to 25, 2025

This October, we’re proud to recognize the contributions of Canadian small businesses, including start-ups and young entrepreneurs, who are pushing boundaries and driving innovation through research and development (R&D).

On average, 64% of SR&ED claims come from small businesses each year, and we know that every dollar counts. That’s why we want to make sure you can keep more money in your business and maximize your SR&ED tax incentives by filing your own claim. Before you seek outside help, we encourage you to consult our Support services and tools web page, or give us a call if you need assistance.

During Small Business Week, we will host two free SR&ED general information webinars. Join us for the English session on October 20 or attend the French session on October 23. We will walk you through:

• Eligibility requirements
• What expenses can be claimed
• How to file a claim
• And more

We hope to see you there!

Empowering businesses to file their claims independently

The SR&ED program offers a suite of tools and services to help you file your claim directly, so you can keep and re-invest more of the tax credits you receive.

Our newly re-designed Support services and tools web page organizes resources into clear categories, helping you access the right support, depending on where you are in the claim process. Whether you want to learn more about the program, explore your eligibility or start preparing your claim, this page will guide you every step of the way:

Step 1: Learn about the program

• Register for an SR&ED webinar to gain a deeper understanding of the program
• Request a one-on-one presentation that is tailored to the needs of your business
• Explore our multimedia gallery where you can access infographics, videos, and other products that can help you get familiar with program requirements

Step 2: Find out if your work may be eligible

• Consult our Guidelines on the eligibility of work for scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax incentives to learn about what work is eligible
• Use our Self-Assessment and Learning Tool to find out if your work may be eligible, estimate the amount of investment tax credit you could receive, and understand the documentation you need to support your claim
• Request a pre-claim consultation to discuss your ongoing or completed projects with an SR&ED specialist so you can get more certainty on eligibility before you file a claim

Step 3: Prepare your claim

• Follow our step-by-step guide to identify and calculate qualifying expenses, and to help prepare your claim
• Learn how to access the SR&ED Client Portal within My Business Account, a secure, self-service space designed to help you prepare your claim
• Contact an SR&ED specialist if you have questions about your claim

Helping you access the SR&ED Client Portal

We recently published the SR&ED Client Portal web page that explains how to access the SR&ED Client Portal in My Business Account. It also offers an overview of the resources available within the portal, including:

• A pre-claim workbook that helps you compile the information you need to complete Form T661
• An exclusive version of the Self-Assessment and Learning Tool, with a save and retrieve feature
• An easy option to request assistance from an SR&ED specialist
• Up-front information on processing times
• And more

Engaging with innovators across Canada

SR&ED is not just a program, it plays a critical role in Canada’s innovation ecosystem, improving competitiveness and positioning your business to succeed in a fast-changing global market.

Throughout the year, we actively engage with Canadian innovators and entrepreneurs to improve the client experience, increase knowledge of SR&ED tax incentives and ensure businesses have the information they need to get the most out of the program.

Here are some highlights from recent engagements:

2025 Web Summit Vancouver

We attended Web Summit Vancouver, where we made over 480 new connections, presented the SR&ED program’s masterclass at the Black Innovation Zone, and offered a masterclass and free office hours in partnership with the Trade Commissioner Service.

University outreach

We partnered with 15 university incubators and accelerators to help early-stage entrepreneurs understand the claim process and maximize the value of SR&ED tax incentives as part of their financing strategy.

Expanding partnerships

We joined leading events including the Inventures Conference, Global Energy Show, Atlantic Venture Forum, H2O Conference and True Blue Expo to strengthen our ties with organizations that support Canada’s innovation ecosystem.

Engagement with multinational companies

In partnership with Invest in Canada, we delivered 10 information sessions to multinational companies considering Canada for their next R&D investment.

Underserved communities outreach

We worked to strengthen relationships with organizations supporting women entrepreneurs, Indigenous Peoples, and Black communities.

Connect with us

The SR&ED Outreach Program offers several engagement opportunities, including one-on-one meetings, financial deep dives, and guided workshops.

Contact us today at OESCPB-SVEDGPO@cra-arc.gc.ca to schedule your tailored session!

Upcoming SR&ED webinars

Each month, we offer free webinars on Microsoft Teams to help businesses gain a deeper understanding of our program. Register for one of our upcoming general information sessions:

*If you received this email, you are already subscribed to our electronic mailing list and will be notified when registration opens for our December dates. Space is limited, so make sure to sign up early to take advantage of these great learning opportunities!

In case you missed it

Strengthening program transparency

To strengthen transparency and trust with our SR&ED claimants and stakeholders, we are committed to sharing annual program statistics.

Consult our SR&ED program statistics web page for the latest 2024 to 2025 figures.

Updated guide for claimants

In July, we updated The SR&ED Review Process: A Guide for Claimants to better support businesses with a claim under review. This guide helps claimants understand what happens when the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) reviews both the work and the expenditures in SR&ED claims. It outlines what you can expect before, during, and after the review, while also providing recommendations on how to prepare for each step of the process.

Policy updates

We recently updated the following three policies:

• SR&ED Salary or Wages Policy
• SR&ED Filing Requirements Policy
• Gross Negligence Penalty on Overstated SR&ED Claims Policy (formerly Application Policy SR&ED 96-05)

Spread the word

Did you enjoy this update? Did you learn something new? If so, we’d love for you to spread the word. Share this email with a colleague and encourage them to sign up for the SR&ED program’s electronic mailing list.

Published on: October 29, 2025

These changes may impact claimants that have previously deducted government assistance on Form T661, Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Expenditures Claim, if that government assistance meets the definition of an excluded loan. Claimants affected by this change can submit amended tax returns with their revised SR&ED forms for the years affected as long as the tax year is not statute-barred, even if their SR&ED reporting deadline has passed. If you are past your reporting deadline, new SR&ED expenditures will not be accepted in your amended Form T661. If the tax year affected is statute-barred, investment tax credit (ITC) will still be recoverable when you include the repayment in your tax return for the year the repayment is made.

Schedule T2SCH31, Investment Tax Credit – Corporations, or Form T2038-IND, Investment Tax Credit (Individuals), must be included with the amended T2 return to claim the additional ITC earned. If, in the same tax year, additional amounts of government assistance related to the excluded loan were included as income on Schedule T2SCH1, Net Income (Loss) for Income Tax Purposes, then these amounts can also be removed through an amended Schedule T2SCH1.

For more information about this legislative amendment, go to Explanatory Notes Relating to the Income Tax Act and Other Legislation.

For any questions, contact us.

However, this extension does not apply to the British Columbia Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit and Nova Scotia Research and Development Tax Credit. For example, British Columbia and Nova Scotia corporations with a December 31, 2019 tax year-end should file their Forms T661, T2SCH31, T666 British Columbia (BC) Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit or T2SCH340 Nova Scotia Research and Development Tax Credit, and other relevant forms at the latest, June 30, 2021.

For more information go to British Columbia Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit and Nova Scotia Research and Development Tax Credit for tax year-ends from November 30, 2019, to February 29, 2020.

Since this order has not yet been issued, claimants with a SR&ED reporting deadline on or after March 13, 2020, and who were unable to file an SR&ED claim because of the COVID-19 pandemic, are encouraged to file their claim on the expectation that such an order will be released. Claimants are encouraged to submit their SR&ED claims as early as possible, preferably with their income tax return. For more information on federal draft legislation amending the Income Tax Act that impacts on the SR&ED Program, go to Federal SR&ED legislative proposals status.