Updated June 2026 · Verified against Government of Manitoba — Manitoba Finance (administered by Canada Revenue Agency) guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Tax Credit Offset Est. 1992
Tax Credit Provincial Active

Manitoba Research and Development Tax Credit

Government of Manitoba — Manitoba Finance (administered by Canada Revenue Agency)
Maximum Credit
15% of eligible costs
Ongoing
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Tax Credit Offset
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Credit rate
15%
Manitoba Research and Development Tax Credit provides up to 15% tax credit on eligible Manitoba R&D expenditures — 50% refundable for in-house R&D; fully refundable for contracts with qualifying Manitoba research institutes. Provincial 15% tax credit on eligible scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) expenditures carried on in Manitoba, stacking directly on top of the federal SR&ED program. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

Provincial 15% tax credit on eligible scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) expenditures carried on in Manitoba, stacking directly on top of the federal SR&ED program. The refundable portion (50% for in-house R&D; 100% for contract research with qualifying Manitoba institutes) generates cash refunds even for companies with low tax payable.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Corporation with a permanent establishment in Manitoba
  • Eligible expenditures must qualify as SR&ED under the federal Income Tax Act (same definitional framework — technological uncertainty, systematic investigation, technological advancement)
  • R&D must be carried on in Manitoba (in-house or via eligible contract with qualifying Manitoba research institutes)
  • For fully refundable treatment: contract must be with a qualifying Manitoba educational institution or research institute (Manitoba Finance publishes the eligible institutions list)
  • For 50% refundable in-house treatment: corporation performs qualifying SR&ED within Manitoba without contracted research institute involvement
  • Credits may be renounced in whole or in part via tax election
  • 20-year carryforward for unused non-refundable credits; 3-year carryback available
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Startup Growth Expansion Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
15% tax credit on eligible Manitoba R&D expenditures — 50% refundable for in-house R&D; fully refundable for contracts with qualifying Manitoba research institutes
Type
Tax Credit
Level
Provincial
Credit rate
Up to 15% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Entitlement
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to claim Manitoba Research and Development Tax Credit

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How to claim

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

The fully refundable treatment for contract R&D with qualifying Manitoba institutes (universities, colleges, research centres) is particularly attractive for early-stage companies with limited tax payable.

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Rejection Pitfalls 6

  • Underlying federal SR&ED claim denied — Manitoba credit depends on federal eligibility
+5 more pitfalls
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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Document SR&ED Activities Throughout the Year Maintain contemporaneous technical records of qualifying Manitoba R&D: lab notebooks, timesheets, experiment logs, and project documentation. Record whether work is in-house or conducted under contract with a qualifying Manitoba institute — this determines refundability (50% vs. 100%).

Required Documents 7

T2 corporate income tax return
Form T661 — SR&ED Expenditures Claim (federal, required as gateway for the Manitoba credit)

Eligible Expenses 5

Ineligible Expenses 5

Claim timing

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

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Clawback Risk

Low Risk
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How Manitoba Research and Development Tax Credit Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Manitoba Research and Development Tax... 15% Moderate Tax Credit Offset Ongoing
NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program $100,000–$500,000 Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing
Manitoba Manufacturing Investment Tax... 8% Easy Tax Credit Offset Ongoing
Mitacs Accelerate $15,000 per internship unit Easy Advance Payment Ongoing
Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... Minimum $10 million contribution Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing — continuous...

Related Programs

Other programs you might be eligible for

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Manitoba Research and Development Tax Credit

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How does this differ from the federal SR&ED program?
This is Manitoba's provincial top-up on the federal SR&ED credit. Federal rates are up to 35% (CCPC) or 15% (others); Manitoba adds another 15% on eligible Manitoba R&D expenditures, pushing combined rates above 50% for eligible CCPCs.
What makes the contract research track fully refundable?
If your R&D is contracted to a qualifying Manitoba educational institution or research institute (e.g. University of Manitoba), the full 15% credit is refundable — versus only 50% for in-house R&D. Manitoba Finance publishes the eligible institutions list.
Can we claim the federal SR&ED and Manitoba credits simultaneously?
Yes, but the Manitoba credit is government assistance that reduces the federal SR&ED expenditure base. Calculate the Manitoba credit first to ensure accurate federal ITC calculations.
How long can unused non-refundable credits be carried forward?
Unused non-refundable Manitoba R&D credits can be carried forward 20 years or back 3 years against Manitoba corporate income tax payable.
Must we file the federal T661 to claim the provincial credit?
Yes — the federal SR&ED claim (T661) is required as the gateway document. The Manitoba credit uses the same expenditure base and definitions, so a complete federal filing is essential.

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