Minister Findlay highlights key measures available to Canadian farmers and small agri-businesses

Lethbridge, Alberta, August 22, 2013... The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue, and Jim Hillyer, M.P. for Lethbridge, today met with community and business leaders to discuss key measures available to Canadian farmers and small to medium-sized agri-businesses.

“Keeping taxes low for Canadian small businesses is a cornerstone of our Government’s long-term plan for jobs, growth, and prosperity,” said Minister Findlay. “Canada’s farmers and agri-businesses cultivate our land and produce quality products for Canadian and international consumers. Our Government recognizes their contribution to Canada’s economy and we are proud to offer incentives that will help these businesses remain competitive and create jobs across the country.”

Minister Findlay highlighted the following key measures:

• The Hiring Credit for Small Businesses (HCSB) gives small businesses relief from the employer’s share of employment insurance (EI) premiums by crediting up to $1,000 on the payroll account. There is no application form to complete for the HCSB. For employers whose total employer EI premiums were $15,000 or less in 2012, a credit of up to $1,000 will automatically be calculated based on the increase of an employer’s EI premiums paid in 2013 over those premiums paid in 2012.

• The Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit is a non-refundable investment tax credit equal to the lesser of $2,000 or 10% of the eligible salaries and wages payable to eligible apprentices in respect of employment. Eligible apprenticeships include jobs such as agricultural equipment technicians (in most provinces), and heavy duty equipment technicians.

• The Scientific Research and Experimental Development Program (SR&ED) is a federal tax incentive program administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that encourages Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development in Canada. The SR&ED program allows agricultural producers to access investment tax credits (ITC) earned on contributions made to agricultural organizations that fund SR&ED. Canadian-controlled private corporations, including agri-business, can earn a refundable ITC of 35% on up to $3 million in qualified SR&ED expenditures for SR&ED carried out in Canada. The ITC is fully refundable on qualified SR&ED current expenditures and 40% refundable on qualified SR&ED capital expenditures.

“We recognize that small businesses and farms in communities like Lethbridge are essential to job creation,” said M.P. Hillyer. “Our Government is committed to working with Canadian farmers and agri-businesses as we continue to make progress with our Economic Action Plan"

Thousands of Canadians—from small business entrepreneurs to seniors to students —have benefited from a broad range of tax benefits and credits that respond to their unique needs. For more information on these and what the CRA is doing to help create jobs and growth for Canadians, go to www.cra.gc.ca/taxsavings.

For more information on the Hiring Credit for Small Businesses, go to www.cra.gc.ca/hiringcredit.

For more information on the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit, and other investment tax credits, go to www.cra-arc.gc.ca/smallbusiness and select “Investment Tax Credit.”

For more information on SR&ED, go to www.cra.gc.ca/sred.

Canada Revenue Agency

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