AxscopeEmpowering Innovation
HOMEEBC & VCC Program

30% tax credit for backing BC businesses.

British Columbia rewards investors who fund local small businesses with a flat 30% refundable tax credit — up to $400K/year for individuals, with no cap for corporations. We handle qualification, share purchase reporting, and annual renewals.

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Two Ways to Claim

Both individuals and corporations qualify.

BC Individual Investors
$400K/year max

On up to $1M invested per BC tax year. Credit is refundable — you get cash back even if you owe no provincial tax.

  • Direct share purchase in qualifying BC business
  • Carries forward up to 4 years if unused
  • Stacks with federal RRSP and other deductions
Corporate Investors
Noannual cap

BC corporations (including holding companies) get 30% on any qualifying investment amount — popular for family offices and corporate venture arms.

  • No annual maximum on investment
  • Direct or VCC fund structure available
  • We structure investments for max recovery
Eligible Categories

Six categories of BC business qualify.

The investee company must operate primarily in one of these six areas. We help confirm fit before you invest.

R&D

Companies primarily engaged in scientific research and experimental development.

Clean Technology

Renewable energy, energy efficiency, environmental remediation, and sustainable tech.

Manufacturing & Processing

Companies that make tangible goods or process raw materials in BC.

Destination Tourism

Tourism businesses bringing visitors to BC from outside the province.

Interactive Digital Media

Game studios, AR/VR developers, simulation and digital learning products.

Advanced Commercialization

Companies bringing innovative products or services to market for the first time.

How It Works

From qualification to credit, we've got both sides covered.

For the Business (Investee)

  1. 1Initial eligibility review — we confirm your BC operations + category fit
  2. 2Prepare EBC application — financial statements, shareholder structure, business plan
  3. 3Submit to BC Ministry — typical turnaround 4-8 weeks
  4. 4Receive EBC certificate — valid until Dec 31 of that year
  5. 5Annual renewal — we file the return + recertification each year

For the Investor

  1. 1Confirm investee has active EBC status for the year
  2. 2Purchase eligible shares (we review subscription agreement)
  3. 3Receive share purchase report from the investee company
  4. 4Claim the 30% credit on your BC tax return that year
  5. 5Carry forward unused credits up to 4 years if needed
Important Deadline

EBC certificates expire December 31 every year.

Investments made after expiry don't qualify until the business is recertified. We renew client EBCs every fall to ensure no funding gap.

Renew your EBC status
Frequently Asked

Questions, answered.

Everything investors and BC business owners ask about EBC and VCC.

What's the difference between EBC and VCC?
Both deliver a 30% BC tax credit, but the structure differs. EBC (Eligible Business Corporation) means an investor directly buys shares in a qualified BC small business. VCC (Venture Capital Corporation) is a pooled fund structure — investors put money into the VCC, which then invests in qualifying businesses. EBC is simpler for one-off investments; VCC suits funds and groups of investors.
Does the business I'm investing in need to be in BC?
Yes. The company must be incorporated in British Columbia, keep its head office in BC, employ at least 75% of its workforce in BC, and operate primarily in one of the six eligible business categories.
What's the maximum tax credit I can claim?
For BC individual investors: up to $400,000/year in tax credit (on $1M invested). For corporate investors: there is no annual cap — 30% applies to any qualifying investment amount.
What if the EBC certificate expires?
EBC status expires December 31 each year. Investments made after expiry don't qualify until the business is recertified. We handle the renewal paperwork annually so you never miss a window.
How long does it take to get EBC status?
For a qualifying BC SME, typical timeline is 4-8 weeks from first call to EBC certificate in hand. We handle the application, financial statements, shareholder agreement review, and Ministry correspondence.
Can I invest through a holding company?
Yes. Corporate investors (including holding companies) can claim the 30% credit on share purchases — and unlike individual investors, there is no annual maximum. This is a popular structure for family offices and BC-based corporate investors.
What kind of reporting is required after the investment?
The investee company must file an annual EBC return with the province (we handle this). Investors receive a share purchase report used to claim the credit on their BC personal or corporate return.
How does Axscope charge for EBC engagements?
Our EBC pricing has three components: a retainer at signing, an application success fee when the EBC certificate is issued, and a commission rate when the investor receives their Tax Credit Certificate (TCC). Specific amounts are walked through on the discovery call once we understand your engagement scope.

Capture your 30% credit this year.

Whether you're a BC investor or a BC business seeking capital, we handle every step from qualification to filing.

Book a Free Consultationservice@axscope.com