QUESTIONS

QUALIFYING

COMMON INDUSTRIES THAT QUALIFY

Businesses investing in new or improved product or process of development can qualify. Technical endeavors to cut cost and remain competitive in the market place may also qualify for the credit. The criteria are not exclusive to any specific type of industry, in fact, research and development takes place in a broad range.

Common industries that qualify:

  • TECHNOLOGICAL IN NATURE - DOES THE PROJECT OR ACTIVITY RELY ON ANY FORM OF HARD SCIENCE?

    The experiment performed must fundamentally rely on principles of the physical or biological sciences, engineering, or computer science, etc. Social sciences (including economics, business management, and behavioral sciences), arts, or humanities do not qualify.

  • PERMITTED PURPOSE - ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE PRODUCTS/ PROCESSES FASTER, MORE EFFICIENT, LIGHTER, ETC.?

    The purpose of the experiment must be to develop new or improve existing function, performance, reliability or quality of the business component. Business component can be any product, process, technique, invention, formula, or software, etc.

  • TECHNOLOGICAL UNCERTAINTY - AT THE OUTSET OF THE PROJECT, WERE THERE ANY DOUBTS REGARDING THE PROPER DESIGN OR METHODOLOGY TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED PRODUCT OR PROCESS IMPROVEMENT?

    There must be uncertainty concerning the capability to develop, method, or appropriate design of a new or improved business component.

  • PROCESS OF EXPERIMENTATION - DID YOU CONSIDER ONE OR MORE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS? DID YOU HAVE TO TEST YOUR RESULTS?

    A process designed to evaluate one or more alternatives to achieve a result where the capability or the method of achieving that result, or the appropriate design of that result, is uncertain as of the beginning of the taxpayer's research activities.

Questions

What our
clients ask

What if I am already claiming the credit?
Many of our clients were already claiming the credit. However, it's been shown that the vast majority of accountants and consulting firms do not have the expertise to maximize the potential Research and Development tax credits. In every case, we have been able to substantially add to the amount of credits previously claimed by our clients' accountants or tax credit firm. With a no-fee initial assessment, there is no reason not to find out how much your company should be entitled to.
Can I claim the R&D tax credit even if all of my manufacturing is done overseas?
As long as the design and development work is done here in the US, manufacturing of this product can occur anywhere, whether the manufacturing is outsourced or the manufacturing company is your own.
How does the Research and Development tax credit help with cashflow and profits?
Unlike a tax deduction, an R&D tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar credit; this reduces a taxpayer’s bill by a full dollar for each credit dollar. A six-figure tax credit increases Earnings After Tax by the full amount of the credit. A tax credit that can be used to reduce the taxes to be paid means that much more cash in the company’s bank account.
Do I need these credits if I plan to sell my business?
Because the credits can be claimed in one year and taken in another year, they can be transferred to new ownership. The credits also legitimize a company’s technology. A lot of small companies claim the credit every year because they are looking to be acquired by a larger corporation, and if they have R&D credits on their books it proves they have technology someone else is likely to value.
What is the research and development tax credit?
The Research & Development tax credit is designed to stimulate technological innovation by providing a federal and state income tax credit for taxpaying Employers and Shareholders/Members (S-Corp, LLC, LLP). The Research and Development tax credit allows companies conducting qualified research activities to claim credits up to 13% of qualified research expenses. Even though eligible, the majority of small to mid-size companies do not take advantage of this lucrative tax credit. Simply stated, your company may be eligible to receive a significant tax credit and, in some cases, refunds for these qualified Research & Development Tax Credits. This is a permanent tax benefit and a dollar-for-dollar tax savings. Companies/Shareholders can carry forward unused credits into future years.
Is this a refundable credit?
It’s not a refundable credit, which means that if the credit is in excess of the tax liability, you cannot get a refund greater than the amount of the tax that is owed. For example, if your tax credit is $25,000 and your tax liability is only $18,000, then you will receive a credit (refund) of only $18,000. The unused tax credits rollover and can be used in future years (up to 20 years for federal purposes).
How many years can I claim the credit?
You can go back to any open tax year, which typically is the prior three years for Federal purposes and four years for California purposes. For example, if you have a December 31 year end and you filed your 2017 tax return on March 15, 2018, your 2017 tax return is open until March 15, 2020.
Let’s Get in Touch

Contact details

R&D Incentives Group

725 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 2250
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Tel. 213.805.5888