Data show SR&ED appeals have exploded since 2009

Company objections to negative rulings on their R&D tax credit claims have exploded since 2009 to more than 600 annually, according to data released through an access-to-information request by Toronto-based Scitax. The Canada Revenue Agency data show that the number of Notices of Objection it received began their dramatic upward trajectory in 2010, following the introduction of new operating procedures for CRA auditors examining claims made to the Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive program. Between 2009 and 2010, the value of SR&ED claims dropped nearly 20% from $4.1 billion to $3.3 billion. The number of appeals surged again in 2012 when CRA released new policy guidance documents, although the surge did not correspond to a decline in the value of claims which remained steady at $3.6 billion….