Maximizing Your Benefits: A Guide to Research and Development Tax Credits

Are you maximizing your tax savings through Research and Development (R&D) tax credits? As a business owner, this powerful tool can reduce your tax liability while driving innovation and growth. R&D tax credits allow you to recover a portion of your qualified expenses, making it a smart financial move.

In Washington, high technology fields like advanced materials, computing, and biotechnology are eligible for state tax credits. Oregon, Idaho, and other states offer similar benefits.

Learn how to unlock these savings in the Tri-Cities and beyond.

Research and Development
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Eligibility for R&D Tax Credits

Before you dive into claiming R&D tax credits, it’s important to understand the IRS definition of “research and development” activities. The IRS has designed the research and development tax credit as a Tier 1 issue (great compliance risk) and has increased their audit scrutiny of these credits. We highly recommend working with a CPA such as Darren Szendre who keeps current with these complicated tax regulations. It has set some criteria that businesses must meet in order to qualify for R&D tax credits:
  • The activity must be intended to create new or improved products, processes, or software.
  • It must involve a process of experimentation.
  • The activity must be technological in nature.
If your business meets these criteria, congratulations! You’re eligible for R&D tax credits. However, certain industries have a higher likelihood of qualifying, such as technology, manufacturing, and scientific businesses. Keep this in mind when considering if your business is eligible for R&D tax credits.

Calculation of R&D Tax Credits

Once you’ve confirmed that your business qualifies for R&D tax credits, the next step is to calculate the amount of credit you can claim. The R&D tax credit is typically a percentage of your qualified research expenses (QREs). These expenses can include:
  • Wages paid to employees who conducted qualified research
  • Materials and supplies used in the research process
  • Contract research expenses paid to third-party vendors
  • Overhead expenses related to the research process
The percentage of the credit varies depending on various factors, such as the size of your business and the amount of QREs. Typically, the credit ranges from 6% to 20% of QREs, with larger businesses typically receiving a lower percentage. To claim the credit, you’ll need to file Form 6765 and provide detailed information about your R&D activities and QREs. It’s crucial to keep accurate records of your expenses and activities to support your claim. With these details in hand, you can calculate your R&D tax credit and ultimately lower your tax liability while continuing to drive innovation in your business.
Calculation of R&D Tax Credits
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Benefits of R&D Tax Credits

Benefits of R&D Tax Credits

R&D tax credits can provide your business with significant benefits that go beyond just saving you money on taxes. By taking advantage of these credits, you can invest more money into research and development, allowing you to create new and innovative products, improves existing ones, and stay ahead of the curve in your industry. This can translate to increased revenue and growth for your business. Furthermore, investing in R&D demonstrates to your customers that you’re committed to staying on the cutting edge of your industry. By regularly introducing new products and innovations, you can attract new customers and retain existing ones, which is crucial for building long-term success.

Washington State R&D Tax Credits

If your business is based in Washington State and you’re engaged in research and development (R&D) activities, you may be eligible for the Washington state R&D tax credit. This credit is designed to incentivize businesses to conduct R&D in the state and can provide substantial tax savings. To qualify for this credit, your business must have fewer than 50 employees, spend at least $25,000 on R&D activities in the state, and meet other criteria related to conducting R&D in Washington. If you meet these requirements, you can claim a credit equal to 10% of your eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $2 million per year. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to 14 years. Even if your business is not located in Washington State, you may still be eligible for R&D tax credits at the federal level. The federal R&D tax credit is available to businesses across the United States and can provide significant tax savings for eligible businesses engaged in R&D activities.
Washington State R&D Tax Credits

Research and Development Tax Credit: Eligibility, Calculation, and Maximization Tips

The research and development (R&D) tax credit is a program initiated by the federal government to incentivize businesses to invest in innovative and technological research and development activities. The program was initially introduced in 1981 and has undergone several renewals, most recently in 2017 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

The R&D tax credit is a tax incentive program provided by the federal government to encourage businesses of all sizes and across various industries to invest in innovative and technological research and development activities. The credit is not restricted to profitable businesses and is available to startups, SMEs, and large corporations that engage in qualified research activities. The program was first introduced in 1981 and has been renewed multiple times since then, most recently under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

The R&D tax credit is a tax incentive program created by the U.S. federal government to encourage businesses to invest in research and development activities. It provides tax savings to businesses that conduct eligible R&D activities, regardless of their size or industry. Expenses that qualify for the credit include costs related to the development or improvement of products, processes, software, or techniques involving a systematic process of experimentation, testing, or analysis.

Yes, a business can claim R&D tax credits for qualified expenses incurred both within and outside of the United States, as long as they are related to the development of products or processes intended for use in the U.S. market.

Calculating the research and development tax credit is done by figuring out what qualified research expenses (QREs) a business incurred during a given tax year. The credit rate is typically 20%, but it can vary depending on the unique circumstances of the taxpayer. There’s also a simplified method available for some businesses to use when calculating the credit.

To claim the R&D tax credit, a business must document and substantiate its QREs, including the nature and extent of the research activities, the amount and timing of the expenses, and the allocation of expenses between qualified and non-qualified activities. The documentation should be maintained and available for review by the IRS.

Yes, unused R&D tax credits can be carried forward for up to 20 years and used to offset future tax liabilities.

To get the most out of the R&D tax credit, a business should carefully identify and document all eligible research activities and expenses. This includes costs associated with developing new products, processes, or software, as well as expenses related to improving existing ones. Additionally, it’s important for the business to make sure that all documentation meets IRS requirements and is able to withstand an audit. By taking these steps, a business can maximize its R&D tax credit and reap the benefits of this valuable incentive.

The main difference between the R&D tax credit and the R&D expense deduction is how they reduce a business’s tax liability. The R&D tax credit directly lowers the amount of taxes owed, while the R&D expense deduction lowers the business’s taxable income. Generally, the R&D tax credit is more advantageous for businesses with limited or no taxable income, while the R&D expense deduction is more useful for those with higher taxable income.

Yes, many states and local governments offer their own R&D tax credits in addition to the federal credit. In Washington State, for example, businesses can claim a credit of up to 1.5% of their QREs incurred in the state, in addition to the federal credit. It’s important for businesses to research and understand the eligibility criteria and filing requirements for state and local R&D tax credits.

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More About Research and Development

More About Research & Development

Companies and taxpayers performing qualified research in the United States are entitled to a R&D tax credit. Taxpayers that have not claimed the credit in the past are allowed to amend open tax returns and claim the credit. This typically results in cash refunds. For taxpayers currently claiming the credit, an analysis by Tri-Cities CPA, PLLC specialists typically results in the identification of additional qualified expenditures.

The question potential clients always ask is who qualifies for the credit? You qualify for this credit if your company is involved in product development (new product), product enhancement ( a changed product), process development ( a new method to manufacture the product), or process enhancement activities that includes software development and enhancement.

Some of the key questions we will ask during our initial meeting will be:

  • Do you manufacture, develop or enhance products or processes?
  • Do you employ technical persons (i.e. engineers, scientists, IT designers, etc.)?
  • Do you develop prototypes or models? Do you develop or apply for patents?
  • Have you designed and implemented an ISO certification process?
  • Have you added new food processing lines or re-designed existing lines
  • Have you implemented a sophisticated software solution system?
  • Do you attempt the use of new materials, chemicals, ingredients, formulas, etc.?
  • Do you develop design tools, jigs, molds and dyes?
  • Do you perform environmental testing?
  • Do you attempt to make new lighter, stronger, cheaper or more reliable products?
  • Do you expend resources on outside consultants/contractors to do any of the above stated activities?
Some of the key questions we will ask during our initial meeting will be
This credit can provide significant tax benefits to your company

If your answer to any of these questions is yes, chances are your business can claim additional research credits.

This credit can provide significant tax benefits to your company. Qualified dollars include wages, supplies, and contract research expenses associated with research expenses. Typically 6% to 8% tax credit of a company’s annual qualifying R&D expenses can be applied, dollar for dollar, against its federal income tax liability.  Through this tax credit study we will assist your company in creating consistent methodology to realize additional tax savings in future years. Also, federal statute of limitations allows taxpayers to go back at least 3 years to claim this credit.

There are several activities that qualify for the credit, including but not limited to:

  • Developing new or modified processes, patents, formulas, techniques, prototypes or software
  • Improving or modifying existing products
  • Hiring engineers, technicians, scientists, and designers that are engaged in qualified activities
  • Dedicating time and resources to create (manufacturing or developing) new or innovative products
  • Developing intellectual or proprietary products or processes 
  • Incurring amounts paid for salaries, supplies, and contract research
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Payroll Tax Credit

Certain businesses (including startup companies) can claim an R&D tax credit of up to $250,000 ($500,000 after 12/31/22) per year against their payroll taxes. Eligible companies include those that have under $5 million in gross receipts in the current year and no more than 5 years of generating gross receipts, including the current year. New businesses, meanwhile, can offset payroll taxes for up to five years.   Tri-Cities CPA, PLLC will provide you with the experience in preparing thorough documentation to allow companies to claim federal and state credits. We have experience in multiple industries including software development, manufacturing, agricultural, engineering and architecture firms, food processing, and biotechnology. 
Payroll Tax Credit

What qualifies as research and development?

Activities that generally qualify for the R&D credit have to meet the IRS’s four-part test:

  1. Permitted purpose
    The activity must be related to developing or improving the functionality, quality, reliability or performance of a business component (i.e. product, process, software, technique, formula or invention).
  2. Technological in nature
    The business component’s development must be based on a hard science, such as engineering, physics and chemistry, or the life, biological or computer sciences.
  3. Elimination of uncertainty
    From the outset, the organization must have faced technological uncertainty when designing or developing the business component.
  4. Process of experimentation
    The company must have evaluated multiple design alternatives or employed a systematic trial and error approach to overcome the technological uncertainties.

 

If you’re a business owner in Washington State or elsewhere, it’s important to understand the potential benefits of R&D tax credits. By investing in research and development, you can not only save money on taxes but also promote innovation, growth, and competitiveness.

At Tri-Cities Tax and Accounting, we specialize in helping businesses in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Seattle, Spokane, Portland, Boise, and beyond claim R&D tax credits. Our experienced team can guide you through the eligibility criteria, calculation process, and filing requirements to maximize your tax savings and minimize your compliance risks.

To learn more about R&D tax credits and how we can help, contact us today at (509) 582-2000. We’re committed to providing personalized, responsive, and affordable tax and accounting services to businesses of all sizes and industries. Don’t miss out on the benefits of R&D tax credits – let us help you take advantage of them!

Frequently Asked Questions on R&D Tax Credit Washigton State

The research and development (R&D) tax credit is a program initiated by the federal government to incentivize businesses to invest in innovative and technological research and development activities. The program was initially introduced in 1981 and has undergone several renewals, most recently in 2017 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Businesses that engage in research and development activities may be eligible for the federal research and development (R&D) tax credit. This credit allows eligible businesses to offset a portion of their federal income tax liability based on their qualified R&D expenses. Additionally, some states, including Washington, offer their own R&D tax credits, which can provide additional tax savings for businesses.

The federal R&D tax credit allows eligible businesses to claim a credit equal to a percentage of their qualified R&D expenses. The credit can be used to offset federal income tax liability, and any unused credit can be carried forward to future tax years.

Yes, businesses can claim both state and federal R&D tax credits, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements for each credit.

To be eligible for R&D tax credits, the research and development activities must meet certain criteria set forth by the IRS and state tax agencies. The activities must be conducted for the purpose of developing or improving a product, process, software, or formula. Additionally, the activities must involve a process of experimentation that is intended to eliminate technical uncertainty.

To substantiate their R&D expenses, businesses must maintain detailed records of their R&D activities, including project plans, design documents, lab notebooks, test results, and other relevant documentation. These records should be sufficient to demonstrate that the activities meet the eligibility requirements for R&D tax credits.

Research and development expenses can be deducted as ordinary business expenses, but they may also be eligible for R&D tax credits, which can provide additional tax savings for businesses.

The amount of R&D expenses that can be claimed as tax credits or deductions is subject to certain limitations set forth by the IRS and state tax agencies. However, these limitations are generally based on the size of the business and the amount of qualified R&D expenses incurred.

To determine whether a particular expense qualifies as R&D for tax purposes, businesses should consult with a qualified tax professional. The eligibility criteria for R&D tax credits can be complex, and it is important to ensure that all expenses claimed meet the necessary requirements.

The research and development tax credit and the research and experimentation (R&E) tax credit are two different names for the same credit. Both terms refer to the federal tax credit available to eligible businesses that engage in qualified research and development activities.

Startups and small businesses may be eligible for additional tax benefits related to R&D, including the ability to offset payroll taxes with R&D tax credits. Additionally, some states offer special incentives for startups and small businesses, such as the Washington State R&D tax credit. It is important for these businesses to work with a qualified tax professional to ensure they are taking advantage of all available tax benefits.

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