Moneyball for Founders: Building SR&ED Evidence Like a Pro
How smart founders build SR&ED evidence systems that make year-end claims effortless. The systematic approach to capturing R&D documentation as a byproduct of work.
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The evidence system approach
The best founders don't treat SR&ED documentation as a year-end task. They build systems that capture evidence as a byproduct of work. The result is a stronger claim, a faster filing process, and zero panic in March.
Think of it like Moneyball: instead of relying on heroics at year-end, you build a system that produces consistent results. The system is the habit, not the scramble.
The three-system approach
- Commit discipline: write commit messages that explain the technical reasoning, not just what changed. Three months of commits with reasoning is three months of evidence.
- Ticket discipline: tag Jira or Linear tickets with SR&ED project names and link them to technical uncertainty. Time logged on qualifying tickets is direct evidence.
- Decision log: maintain a simple document of major technical decisions, rejected approaches, and the rationale for the final choice. This becomes the backbone of your T661 narrative.
If a habit takes more than 5 minutes per week, it won't stick. Commit messages take 30 seconds. Ticket tagging takes 10 seconds. A decision log entry takes 2 minutes. Five minutes per week is the threshold.
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More guides
SR&ED for Startups: A Complete Guide for Canadian Founders
Canadian startups can claim SR&ED from day one. Learn what qualifies, how to document it, and how to build SR&ED into your company's culture from the start.
DocumentationSR&ED Documentation: A Practical Guide for Canadian Companies
What documentation CRA expects for SR&ED claims, what contemporaneous records mean, and how to organize your evidence for a strong, defensible claim.
ComplianceSR&ED Year-End: How to Avoid the Last-Minute Scramble
Don't wait until year-end to prepare your SR&ED claim. Build documentation habits throughout the year so you can file confidently and maximize your refund.
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