This article appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of Pulse Crop News.

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission has confirmed that pulse growers who paid service fees (check-off) are again eligible for the Scientific Research and Experimental Design (SR&ED) Tax Credit.

The SR&ED Tax Credit can be earned on the portion of the producers’ service fees which were paid to an approved research entity as determined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Each year, a percentage of the Alberta Pulse Growers investment into research is calculated for the per cent eligible for that tax year. Producers who have paid check-off this past year and have not asked for refunds are eligible claimants for this year’s credit.

For the 2014-15 fiscal year, 18.5 per cent of pulse checkoff fees that were deducted from a producer’s cash ticket are eligible for the tax credit. The SR&ED Tax Credit application form can be downloaded directly from the CRA website.

Individual producers need to apply using the form T2038 (IND) and Canadian controlled private corporations should utilize the form T2SCH31. Individuals have 17.5 months from the end of their fiscal year to apply retroactively.

For more detailed information about the SR&ED Tax Credit APG advises you to contact an accountant or the Canada Revenue Agency. For a 10-year history of SR&ED with Alberta Pulse Growers visit http://www.pulse.ab.ca/producers/research-and-trials/sred-tax-credit. A summary of APG research investments in 2014-15 is available at http://pulse.ab.ca/images/uploads/page_files/Pages_22-29.pdf.