Maximize Your Green Business Tax Savings
Category: Business
Research and Development (R&D) is one of the most common costs associated with doing business, and not just in the life sciences or manufacturing sectors. A strong commitment to R&D is essential to building a sustainable company in almost any industry.
Nevertheless, in an increasingly fast-paced and competitive marketplace, many cash-strapped startups are opting to skip R&D to generate revenue faster. This can be a serious mistake, hurting growth and innovation over time.
What if, as a startup, you could use a federal tax credit to offset a significant portion of your federal payroll tax liability—perhaps as much as $250,000 annually?
With the R&D tax credit, you may be able to do just that. However, the credit is a nuanced program with specific requirements, and understanding whether your startup qualifies can be challenging.
In this post, we’ll explore the intricacies of the R&D Tax Credit, providing a comprehensive overview of its benefits, eligibility criteria, calculation methods, and claiming process.
The R&D tax credit, called the Credit for Increasing Research Activities, is a government-sponsored program to incentivize companies to invest in research and development activities. It is a financial incentive for businesses that engage in qualifying research to advance their products, processes, or technologies.
The R&D tax credit was initially introduced in 1981 as a temporary measure to stimulate innovation and technological advancement. However, due to its effectiveness, it has remained a permanent fixture in the IRS tax code. The program underwent further expansion with the enactment of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act in 2015, making it more accessible to startups and small businesses.
This tax credit allows eligible companies to offset a portion of their federal income tax liability, alternative minimum tax (AMT), and sometimes payroll taxes. It is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in tax liability, which means that the company can reduce its tax liability by a certain percentage for every dollar of qualifying research expenses.
By reducing the financial burden associated with R&D expenditures, the tax credit encourages companies to innovate and stay competitive in their industries.
The R&D tax credit’s startup provision is a specific aspect of the credit that aims to support and incentivize startups and small businesses to engage in research and development activities. It recognizes startups’ unique challenges in their early stages and provides them with additional opportunities to benefit from the tax credit.
Under the startup provision, eligible startups that have gross receipts of less than $5 million in the current tax year and no more than five years of gross receipts can claim the R&D tax credit against their payroll taxes. This means that startups can use the credit to offset their federal payroll tax liability, including the employer portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes.
The startup provision of the R&D tax credit allows qualifying startups to receive a benefit even if they do not have significant federal income tax liability, which is often the case for early-stage companies still generating profits. By utilizing the credit against their payroll taxes, startups can receive a tangible cash benefit that can be reinvested in their research and development efforts or other areas of their business.
It’s important to note that the startup provision of the R&D tax credit has certain limitations. The credit is limited to $250,000 per year for a maximum of five years. However, startups with significant qualified research expenses may be able to exceed this limit and utilize the credit against their income tax liability once they become profitable.
To qualify for the R&D tax credit, businesses must meet four eligibility criteria for their expenses to be considered qualifying research and development (R&D) expenses. These criteria help determine whether the activities and expenditures meet the requirements set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to be eligible for the credit, and are as follows:
By satisfying these criteria, businesses can potentially qualify for significant tax incentives that help offset the costs associated with their research and development initiatives.
Examples of ineligible expenses include non-qualifying research activities like market research and routine data collection, costs related to acquiring existing property or duplicating existing products, capital expenses for land, buildings, and equipment, expenses for research conducted outside the United States, and costs associated with reverse engineering.
It’s important to carefully assess expenses to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before claiming the R&D tax credit.
In the United States, there are two primary methods for calculating the R&D tax credit: the regular credit method and the alternative simplified credit (ASC) method.
Companies can choose between these two methods to calculate the R&D tax credit, selecting the one with a higher credit amount. It’s important to note that specific rules and limitations apply to each method, and taxpayers should consult with tax professionals or advisors familiar with R&D tax credits (like us!) to ensure compliance with tax laws.
To claim the R&D tax credit, businesses must fill out and file the appropriate form, which will vary depending on your business structure. For example, corporations use Form 6765, Credit for Increasing Research Activities, while pass-through entities report the credit on their individual or partnership tax returns.
On the form, you must identify qualifying expenses and provide supporting documentation highlighting how these expenses meet the requirements outlined under Internal Revenue Code 41.
However, the process can be complex, and, again, it is advisable to consult a tax professional or R&D credit specialist to ensure all qualifying activities and expenses are accurately accounted for.
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Jeff Coyle, CPA, Partner of Rosenberg Chesnov, has been with the firm since 2015. He joined the firm after 20 years of business and accounting experience where he learned the value of accurate reporting, using financial information as a basis for good business decisions and the importance of accounting for management.
He is a diligent financial professional, able to manage the details and turn them into relevant business leading information. He has a strong financial background in construction, technology, consulting services and risk management. He also knows what it takes to create organizations having built teams, grown companies and designed processes for financial analysis and reporting.
His business experience includes:
Creating and preparing financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting.
Planning and preparation of GAAP and other basis financial statements.
Providing insight on financial results and providing advice based on those results.
Jeff also has a long history of helping individuals manage their taxes and plan their finances including:
Income tax planning and strategy.
Filing quarterly and annual taxes.
Audit support.
General financial and planning advice.
Prior to joining the firm in 2015, Jeff was in the private sector where he held senior financial and management positions including Controller and Chief Financial Officer. He has experience across industries, including construction, technology and professional services which gives him a deep understanding of business.
Jeff graduated from Montclair State University, he is a CPA and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and New Jersey State Society of Public Accountants.
Jody H. Chesnov, CPA, Managing Partner of Rosenberg Chesnov, has been with the firm since 2004. After a career of public accounting and general management, Jody knows the value of good financials. Clarity, decision making, and strategy all start with the facts – Jody has been revealing the facts and turning them into good business results for more than three decades.
He takes a pragmatic approach to accounting, finance and business. His work has supported many companies on their path to growth, including helping them find investors, manage scaling and overcome hurdles. His experience and passion for business reach beyond accounting and he helps businesses focus on what the numbers mean organizationally, operationally and financially.
He has a particular expertise in early-stage growth companies. His strengths lie in cutting through the noise to come up with useful, out of the box, solutions that support clients in building their businesses and realizing their larger visions.
Prior to joining the firm in 2004, Jody was in the private sector where he held senior financial and management positions including General Manager, Chief Financial Officer and Controller. He has experience across industries, which gives him a deep understanding of business.
Jody graduated with a BBA in Accounting from Baruch College, he is a CPA and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.
In addition to delivering above and beyond accounting results, Jody is a member of the NYSCPA’s Emerging Tech Entrepreneurial Committee (ETEC), Private Equity and Venture Capital Committee and Family Office Committee.
He is an angel investor through the Westchester Angels, and has served as an advisor for many startup companies and as a mentor through the Founders Institute.