SR&ED Tax Credits for
Energy & Cleantech
Optimizing power generation and reducing emissions requires complex engineering. We translate your pilot plants, field tests, and grid integration models into audit-proof SR&ED claims. Stay focused on powering the future, not the paperwork.
Your R&D in [
Energy
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.
Your R&D in
[
Energy
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.
What may qualify in energy & cleantech
(examples)
01
Overcoming grid instability with novel battery storage integration
Load testing data, thermal runaway models, system architecture.
02
Developing custom extraction techniques for unconventional reserves
Geologic modeling iterations, drill bit wear analysis, pressure logs.
03
Engineering new carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) processes
Pilot plant schematics, chemical absorption rates, emission baselines.
04
Improving the cold-weather resilience of wind or solar assets
Icing simulation results, material stress tests, SCADA system logs.
05
Modifying legacy pipeline infrastructure for hydrogen blending
Metallurgy test results, leak detection algorithms, flow rate data.
Do you qualify?
A quick self-check
This is some text inside of a div block.
You’re more likely to qualify if your work has all three:
01
Scientific or Technological Uncertainty
You couldn't predict if a new extraction method, grid integration, or emission reduction technology would work due to extreme environmental variables or complex system constraints.
02
Systematic Investigation
You ran computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, built pilot plants, tested scaled prototypes, and logged operational data in the field.
03
Technological Advancement
You achieved a measurable improvement in energy yield, extraction efficiency, carbon reduction, or equipment lifespan that goes beyond standard engineering practices.
We help you capture:
You don’t need perfect paperwork. You need a consistent evidence trail.
What problem you were solving
[ uncertainty ]
What problem you were solving
[ uncertainty ]
What problem you were solving
[ uncertainty ]
Our technical specialists speak your language.
Whether you are architecting a cloud database, scaling a bioreactor, or overcoming mechanical failure, we understand your underlying constraints without needing a beginner's explanation.
[ uncertainty ]
What problem you were solving
[ uncertainty ]
What problem you were solving
[ uncertainty ]
Routine plant maintenance and standard drilling do not qualify—unless you can show specific technological uncertainty and documented problem-solving.
[ Not sure if your work fits? ]
Request consultation
Request consultation
Common pitfalls we help you avoid
Small fixes early can prevent big issues later.
Routine Operations vs. R&D
Standard drilling, maintenance, and off-the-shelf equipment installation aren't SR&ED. We help isolate the specific engineering hours spent solving novel technical challenges.
The "Compliance" Trap
Simply meeting new environmental regulations isn't R&D. We document the underlying technical hurdles your team had to overcome to achieve that compliance.
Commercial vs. Pilot Scale
Scaling a proven lab process to a commercial facility introduces unpredictable thermodynamic and fluid variables. We capture the eligible engineering work during this critical scale-up phase.
Vendor Dependency
If a vendor designs your system, who claims the SR&ED? We review your EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contracts to ensure you secure the credits you deserve.
Want to sanity-check your setup?
Request consultation
Request consultation
Your R&D in
[
Energy
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.
How Checkpoint helps energy & cleantech teams with SR&ED
We turn real energy & cleantech innovation into a clear SR&ED claim with evidence CRA can understand—without unnecessary complexity.
[ step 01 ]
Entry consultation
A brief, technical conversation to understand your operations to determine your SR&ED potential. No preparation needed.
[ step 02 ]
Eligibility review
We analyze your technical landscape to separate routine engineering from eligible work, identifying your hidden ROI.
[ step 03 ]
Technical discovery
We identify potential SR&ED projects from your work, and translate them into CRA-compliant language. Your team stays focused on innovation, not paperwork.
[ step 04 ]
Claim Preparation & Submission
We identify eligible project costs, draft the SR&ED forms, and develop a technical narrative for the CRA. We then coordinate with your tax advisor to manage the final submission.
[ step 05 ]
Proactive Compliance
Say goodbye to the year-end scramble. We establish a recurring rhythm of monthly or quarterly check-ins to capture eligible activities and costs as they happen.
[ step 06 ]
CRA Audit and Review Defense
We don’t just submit and disappear. We provide expert technical defense and manage all CRA communications to protect your claim.
[ step 07 ]
Funding Secured
Once your claim is approved, we provide a detailed reconciliation of the funding secured. We operate on a success-fee basis—we win only when you win.
What evidence
matters most
This is some text inside of a div block.
(and how we keep it simple)
01
Technical
Uncertainty
The solution isn’t obvious in your context—there’s a real technical problem to solve.
02
Systematic Investigation
You test options through trials and iterations, form hypotheses, and measurement conclusions.
03
Technological Advancement
You can show measurable improvement beyond routine operations.
We help you capture:
You don’t need perfect paperwork. You need a consistent evidence trail.
What problem you were solving
[ uncertainty ]
What you changed vs. what stayed constant
[ variables ]
What you measured
[ results, comparisons ]
What changed based on results
[ decisions ]
Who worked on it and when
[ timeline ]
Link between trial work and eligible costs
[ high-level ]
Why teams choose Checkpoint
Proven experience, defensible process, and clear accountability.
20
+
[ Years of experience ]
8500
+
[ Projects ]
$500M
+
[ Recovered ]
96.5
%
[ Success rate ]
Frequently Asked Questions
Structuring claims in [Pharmaceuticals]
We speak your technical language
We speak your technical language
What is the CRA’s "Why and How" framework?
The "Why and How" framework is the CRA’s current assessment standard, replacing the legacy "Five Questions." It strictly evaluates the technical impetus for your project (the 'Why') and the systematic rigor of your execution (the 'How').
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What constitutes "contemporaneous documentation"?
Contemporaneous documentation refers to raw evidence generated during the execution of the work. Retroactive documentation drafted months after project completion is heavily scrutinized and frequently rejected by the CRA.
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Which specific artifacts should our engineering team preserve?
Preserve time-stamped artifacts tied directly to technical roadblocks. Commit logs, Jira/Linear tickets, Slack threads detailing failed tests, architecture whiteboard photos, and granular timesheets are the gold standard of evidence.
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What are the escalation protocols if a claim is denied?
The CRA provides a strict, three-tier escalation framework: an initial dispute resolution dialogue with the reviewer, an escalation to the Review Manager, and ultimately a formal Notice of Objection — filed within 90 days of assessment and, if required, carried to the Tax Court of Canada.
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When is litigation in the Tax Court of Canada (TCC) necessary?
The TCC is the final arbiter, utilized only when internal CRA administrative appeals are exhausted. It provides an independent judicial review of your technical and financial eligibility, completely separate from the CRA's internal ecosystem.
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Let’s Assess Your R&D Potential
Start with a pressure-free consultation.
We’ll clarify what likely qualifies, flag key risk areas, and recommend the safest next step based on your activities and timeline.
See what typically qualifies
See what typically qualifies
Direct line:
+1 (365) 525-2505
+1 (365) 525-2505
Prefer WhatsApp or email?
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