The Founder's Guide to SR&ED Documentation Templates
Good SR&ED documentation isn't about volume — it's about structure. Here are templates and frameworks for time tracking, project logs, and evidence organization that scale from seed to Series B.
The minimum viable documentation stack
You don't need enterprise project management software to document SR&ED work. At minimum, you need: (1) a project log that records what you tried, why, and what happened; (2) time tracking that links hours to specific qualifying projects; (3) evidence files that support the narrative claims.
Project: [Name] | Date: [Range] | Technological uncertainty: [What wasn't known] | Approach tested: [What you tried] | Result: [What you learned, including failures] | Evidence: [Links to commits, docs, test results] | Time: [Hours by person]
Time tracking that CRA reviewers accept
CRA doesn't mandate a specific time-tracking format, but they do expect records that are contemporaneous, detailed, and tied to specific projects. Estimates made at year-end are weaker than records kept in real time.
- Use project codes in your timesheet system that map directly to SR&ED projects
- Record daily or weekly, not monthly or quarterly
- Include brief descriptions of what was worked on, not just project names
- Cross-reference time entries with git commits, design docs, or meeting notes
- Have managers review and sign off on time allocations quarterly
Scaling from seed to Series B
At seed stage, a shared Google Sheet with project logs and time entries is sufficient. By Series A, you should have structured project codes in your timesheet system. By Series B, consider dedicated SR&ED tracking tools or integrate SR&ED coding into your existing project management workflow.
The principle: documentation quality should grow with claim complexity, not with company size. A $50K claim with perfect records is stronger than a $500K claim with estimates and gaps.
Turn this guide into a claim package
SREDY.IO walks you through eligibility, project narratives, supporting costs, and evidence so your CPA has a cleaner file to review.
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