Claiming SR&ED tax credits for restaurants, bakeries and breweries presents a unique challenge for these corporations. Many companies do not consider filing SR&ED for food and beverage innovations because they do not believe they qualify.
While it is true that altering or developing a recipe in and of itself does not constitute SR&ED, many manufacturers, restaurants, bakeries and breweries do have eligible projects. If your recipe work and product/process development involves maintaining a specific nutrition target or requirement (eg: decreasing sugar, sodium or fat content), or using non-standard ingredients (such as in gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan or allergen-free products) then there’s a pretty good chance your eligible expenses associated with the experimentation to develop such products will qualify.
Anybody who’s ever spent any time doing recipe development or enhancement has likely engaged in scientific research and experimental development without really realizing it. Success in claiming SRED for such work requires being able to demonstrate and describe your work in terms the CRA requires. Simply developing a “unique” product isn’t enough. Your claim needs to describe how your product development process is non-standard or less than standard in some way, and how the experimental process that either produced the results you were looking for, or failed to do so.
If your company did any of the following:
…you need to contact SRED Unlimited. Let our experienced consultants help you maximize your claim and your refund. SRED Unlimited has worked extensively with breweries, kitchens and bakeries. Visit our Testimonial Page to hear what our food and beverage clients have to say.
SELECTED CLIENTS:
Rose Reisman Catering has been working with SRED Unlimited for the past three years. They have helped us organize our research and technology in testing our food products. Due to their contribution, we have the ability to continually be ahead of the market. The meetings are productive and well-directed. I would highly recommend them.
When it comes to the Food Services Industry, SRED Unlimited knows how to sort the strongest claimable activities from a year’s worth of projects. The SRED Unlimited team shows expertise in the areas of food science and mechanical engineering, and I can always count on them to deliver good results.
“I was totally pleased and impressed with SRED Unlimited. By the end of the SRED claim preparation process, the SRED Unlimited consultants had developed a detailed working knowledge of the art and science of modern craft-brewing. SRED Unlimited conducted the entire process of claim preparation with high expediency and professionalism. The results of their work were also extremely rewarding in terms of the received refunds . We will be using their services again.“
I’ve been delighted with the simplicity and straightforwardness that SRED Unlimited has brought to our SRED claim. Their consulting has been super efficient and professional, taking a ton of stress out the process. SRED Unlimited has demonstrated that they are able to quickly grasp the details of brewing and cellaring and utilize it to effectively elucidate the R&D that takes place at Halo. We’re happy to continue working with them to help fulfill our mandate to fund the creation and expansion of experimental brews.
We have been working with David and Dmitry with SRED Unlimited for the past couple years. They are very professional, knowledgeable and detail oriented and we received exceptional service and commitment to our success. Their expertise in food science helped us successfully pass a review. I would recommend them to anyone needing assistance submitting a SRED claim.
David, and his team at SRED Unlimited have supported Mema Foods International in becoming a leader in hot fill shelf-stable glass soups & sauces. The team has been relentlessly supportive in helping us claim additional financial support from the Canadian Government, allowing us to compete aggressively in the Canadian retail food market. David’s advice and attention to detail on our yearly claim has been an essential factor in our successful claims.
