Federal and provincial SR&ED rates.
Check the credit rate, the spending it applies to, and how much may be refundable. These tables show current programmes, including Quebec’s CRIC. The calculator uses the highest provincial rate where a range applies.
Federal investment tax credit.
The rate calculates the credit. Refundability determines how much of the unused credit can be paid to you.
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Scroll across the table to see eligibility, refundability, and limits.
| Credit rate | Who may qualify | Refundability | Expenditure limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15%Basic rate | Corporations outside the enhanced-rate rules, and qualified expenditure above an eligible corporation’s enhanced-rate limit. | Generally non-refundable for corporations. Some CCPCs can receive a refund of 40% of the credit. | The enhanced-rate expenditure limit does not cap expenditure that can earn the basic rate. |
| 35%Enhanced rate | Most Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs). Eligible Canadian public corporations also qualify for tax years beginning after December 15, 2024. | Generally 100% of the credit on current expenditure is refundable. Excluded corporations and eligible capital expenditure receive a 40% refund of the credit. | Up to the available expenditure limit, with a $6 million maximum for tax years beginning after December 15, 2024. |
The $6 million maximum can be reduced and must be allocated among associated CCPCs or members of a consolidated public-corporation group. A refund percentage applies to the credit earned, rather than the original spending. Cedar’s calculator models current costs; capital expenditure has separate rules.
Provincial and territorial rates.
Check each programme’s eligible costs, limits, and conditions alongside the rate.
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Scroll across the table to see the rates, expenditure bases, and conditions.
| Province or territory | Headline rate | Expenditure basis | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | 10% | Qualified BC SR&ED expenditure. | Refundability depends on eligibility and the available expenditure limit, up to $6M. Official guidance |
| Alberta | 8%–20% | Eligible R&D expenditure, up to the available $4M limit. | 8% base rate; up to 20% on incremental spending. The calculator uses 20%, without a spending-history calculation. Official guidance |
| Saskatchewan | 10% | Qualified Saskatchewan R&D expenditure. | Eligible CCPCs: refundable on up to $2M of expenditure. Remaining credit is non-refundable; total annual credit is capped at $1M. Official guidance |
| Manitoba | 15% | Eligible Manitoba R&D expenditure. | Half the ordinary credit is refundable. Qualifying Manitoba research-institution contracts can receive fully refundable treatment. Official guidance |
| Ontario | 8% OITC + 3.5% ORDTC (different bases) | OITC on its eligible base; ORDTC after the OITC adjustment. | OITC is refundable, with an available expenditure limit up to $3M. ORDTC is non-refundable. Eligibility conditions apply. Official guidance |
| Québec | 20%–30% CRIC | Eligible payroll, 50% of qualifying research contracts, and certain capital costs. | 30% on the first $1M above the exclusion, then 20%. The exclusion is at least $50,000 and can be higher with payroll. The calculator uses 30% and the $50,000 minimum. Official guidance |
| New Brunswick | 15% | Eligible New Brunswick R&D expenditure. | Refundable credit. Apply the programme’s expenditure and assistance rules. Official guidance |
| Nova Scotia | 15% | Qualified Nova Scotia R&D expenditure. | Refundable credit, with eligibility and provincial allocation conditions. Official guidance |
| Prince Edward Island | No provincial R&D credit | Federal SR&ED credits may still apply. | The calculator includes federal credits only for this jurisdiction. Official guidance |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | 15% | Eligible Newfoundland and Labrador R&D expenditure. | Refundable. Provincial assistance treatment differs from the federal calculation; received contract payments require an adjustment. Official guidance |
| Yukon | 15%–20% | Eligible Yukon R&D expenditure. | 15%, plus 5% for qualifying Yukon University expenditure. The calculator uses the 20% upper rate. Official guidance |
| Northwest Territories | No territorial R&D credit | Federal SR&ED credits may still apply. | The calculator includes federal credits only for this jurisdiction. Official guidance |
| Nunavut | No territorial R&D credit | Federal SR&ED credits may still apply. | The calculator includes federal credits only for this jurisdiction. Official guidance |
The calculator uses the highest rate in each range. Eligibility and expenditure rules vary by programme. See the CRA overview and official guidance linked above.
Work out the combined benefit.
Federal and provincial credits can apply to different spending amounts. Provincial credits can also reduce the federal base, so adding the two headline rates can overstate the combined benefit. The CRA explains the adjustments in its assistance and contract payments guidance.
To use a rate in a forecast, first confirm the company’s eligibility, the tax-year dates, related-company limits, and funding received for the work. Then apply each programme’s expenditure rules. Cedar handles those calculations as part of preparing your claim.
Work through your R&D costs, funding, and federal rate.
Read the SR&ED glossaryLook up the terms used in a claim.