Who can claim SR&ED?

Date: June 17, 2026
Category: SR&ED Basics

Any Canadian business can successfully claim a SR&ED payment – that’s money back in your pocket for any costs you’ve absorbed during research and development. While some industries are more successful than others, your chances of success significantly increase with a team of experienced accountants like ours at Carnegie Capital Group.

Research and development (R&D) looks very different across different businesses and industry sectors. For businesses in Software and IT, R&D can be anything from reconfiguring phone batteries for efficiency or developing manufacturing techniques to maximise workers’ safety. For chemical companies, this may be engineering more stable chemical formulations or optimising cleaning formulations and processes. For food and drink companies or those in the hospitality sector, this can be reformulating alcoholic beverages or cooking processes for taste or efficiency.

While any business can apply, CCPCs (Canadian-Controlled Private Corporations) receive the most generous treatment, with an enhanced refundable Investment Tax Credit (ITC) of 35% on their first $3M of expenditures. Non-CCPCs (foreign-controlled, public companies) earn a non-refundable 15% ITC.

The most important factor distinguishing a successful claimant from an unsuccessful one is the way in which you position your claim. Was there a genuine technological uncertainty? Do you have proof of expenditures?

With our expertise at Carnegie Capital Group, we can maximize benefit for your business and significantly increase your chances of success.

Thinking of applying?