SR&ED Tax Credits for
Industrial Automation
Installing a standard conveyor belt isn’t SR&ED — but engineering a synchronized production line that integrates legacy machinery with modern AI sensors often is. Custom PLC logic, protocol refactoring, or systems built for extreme reliability all qualify. We turn your architecture and integration logs into defensible, audit-proof claims.
Your R&D in [
Manufacturing
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.
Your R&D in
[
Manufacturing
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.
What may qualify in industrial automation
We turn complex Industrial Automation work into a defensible SR&ED claim with clear evidence and clean scope.
(examples)
(Evidence to capture)
01
Developing custom PLC/SCADA logic for non-standard processes
Logic flowcharts, code revision histories, signal latency benchmarks.
02
Integrating disparate legacy hardware with modern IIoT platforms
Communication protocol schemas, API bridge logs, connectivity failure reports.
03
Engineering high-speed synchronized motion control systems
Encoder data logs, vibration analyses, motor torque profiles.
04
Optimizing automated sorting or packing for fragile/irregular items
Vision system accuracy reports, sensor response logs, cycle time data.
05
Building digital twins for real-time process simulation and optimization
Simulation model parameters, virtual vs. physical comparison logs, data sync metrics.
Do you qualify?
A quick self-check
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You’re more likely to qualify if your work has all three:
01
Technological Uncertainty
You couldn't predict if the integrated system would maintain sync, meet cycle time targets, or communicate reliably across different hardware platforms.
02
Systematic Investigation
You ran structured simulations, tested multiple control strategies, iterated on communication protocols, and logged real-world system performance data.
03
Technological Advancement
You achieved a measurable improvement in throughput, energy efficiency, error reduction, or system interoperability that goes beyond standard automation 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 installation of standard automation kits does not qualify—unless you can show specific technological uncertainty and documented testing.
[ Not sure if your work fits? ]
Request consultation
Request consultation
Common pitfalls we help you avoid
Small fixes early can prevent big issues later.
Installation vs. R&D
Simply following a manual to install a new sensor isn't SR&ED. We help isolate the specific engineering hours spent writing custom drivers or modifying the machine's core logic to accept that sensor.
The "Vendor Solution" Trap
If your vendor did all the programming, they might claim the credit. We review your contracts to ensure you capture the R&D for the integration work your team performed.
"It Just Works" Bias
Documentation often focuses on the final working system. We help you go back and capture the "it didn't work" moments—the failed PLC rungs, the lost packets, and the timing drifts that prove uncertainty.
Missing Material Scrap
The products destroyed during the commissioning of a new automated line (test runs) are highly claimable. We ensure these material costs are included in your claim.
Want to sanity-check your setup?
Request consultation
Request consultation
Your R&D in
[
Manufacturing
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.
How Checkpoint helps industrial automation teams with SR&ED
We turn real industrial automation 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
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(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 ]
Explore manufacturing sub-sectors
[ Sub-industry ]
Equipment & Machinery Manufacturing
Equipment-focused SR&ED is strongest when it documents iterative engineering, design constraints, performance targets, testing cycles, failed versions, and how decisions drove each change. We help differentiate routine redesign from true technological advancement supported by measurements and learning outcomes.
Robotics & Mechatronics
Robotics SR&ED often involves complex uncertainty across sensing, control, reliability, integration, and real-world performance. Defensibility depends on showing structured experiments, iteration cycles, and measurable outcomes—especially where solutions are non-obvious and constrained by hardware and environment.
Manufacturing & Automation Overview
See how we help teams across the entire manufacturing sector secure SR&ED funding. From custom tooling to complex automation integrations, discover our end-to-end methodology.
Your R&D in
[
Manufacturing
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.
Why teams choose Checkpoint
Proven experience, defensible process, and clear accountability.
20
+
[ Years of experience ]
8500
+
[ Projects ]
$500M
+
[ Recovered ]
96.5
%
[ Success rate ]
[ Testimonials ]
[ Industrial Automation ]
“What set Checkpoint Research apart was their ability to speak our language fluently.
We didn't have to 'dumb down' our technical challenges in control systems or advanced mechanics; they understood the engineering immediately. This resulted in a streamlined filing process where the reports were a true, substantive reflection of our R&D."
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
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