17,000 companies across Canada received SRED tax credits from the federal government in 2007.  The average tax credit received was over $200,000 per company.  This average figure is skewed by large firms which receive massive credits.  Nortel, for example, has built up between $1 and $1.4 BILLION of SRED tax credits as of February 2009!

Your company doesn't need scientists, lab workers in white coats, PhDs, or P.Eng's to qualify for R&D tax credits. Federal government statistics show that 98% of credits are awarded for experimental development work (ie not classic R&D work).

If you design new products or process, carry out IT projects, invest to build your stock of proprietary knowlede and best practices, you may qualify for SR&ED credits.  Custom IT work qualifies.  Failed and abandoned projects qualify!

R&D tax credits are particularly targeted by the government at small business.  Tax credit rates are higher for small business.  Credits are only refundable for small businesses. (Small business = CCPC, Canadian-controlled private corporation)