Message Minister Blackburn! - 05 July, 2010

Minister <http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/nwsrm/rlss/2010/m01/nr100113-eng.html >
Blackburn`s January 13, 2010 Press Release


Scientific Research and Experimental Development: "Changes will be made to
improve the program," declares Minister Blackburn

Hamilton, Ontario, January 13, 2010. Today, while addressing the 13th Annual
Tax Practitioner Information Session, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn,
Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture and
Agri-Food), announced improvements to the Scientific Research and
Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program.

"Our Government understands the importance of research and innovation to our
country`s present and future economic prosperity. By offering generous
investment tax credits, we are encouraging Canadian corporations to invest
in innovation and to develop new products, services, and technologies," said
Minister Blackburn.

"I am pleased to announce that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will soon be
implementing a number of improvements to the program. This July, the CRA
will begin to report quarterly, through its Web site, on the time it takes
to review an SR&ED claim from start to finish. It will improve on accuracy
and on the mutual goal of achieving the timely resolution of a claim,"
indicated Minister Blackburn.

"CRA officials will also spend more time better explaining the SR&ED program
requirements, process, and decisions to the claimants and their
representatives. The emphasis on working with claimants is reflected in the
new manual, which will become effective on April 1, 2010.

In addition, I am pleased to announce that when, in the course of their
review, CRA officials discover that a company has not claimed work that
appears to be eligible for the credit, they will now inform the claimant of
their finding so that companies can resubmit their claim if within the
reporting deadline. This is also reflected in the SR&ED claim review manual
and will be effective as of April 1, 2010.

The issue of consistency in our decisions has often been raised by claimants
and tax practitioners. I want to assure you that I have listened carefully
to these concerns, and I have asked CRA officials to continue working in
this area and to propose additional solutions. I will be soon be announcing
further enhancements to the SR&ED program as a result," added Minister
Blackburn.