The Obscure Research Credit
Article Highlights:
· Credit Purpose
· Credit Amount
· Simplified Credit Calculation
· Failure to Take Advantage of the Credit
· Small Business Features
· Qualified Research Expenses
· Business Qualifications
An obscure tax credit—generally referred to as the R&D (research and development) credit—was originally added to the tax code in 1981 as a two-year incentive for businesses and has been extended every year since, until it was recently made permanent.
The purpose of the credit is an inducement and reward to get U.S. companies to increase their investment in research and development for new, improved, or technologically advanced products or trade processes, thus keeping the U.S. competitive with the rest of the world. Other applications of the credit may include improvement upon the functionality, reliability, performance, or quality of existing products or trade processes.
The credit (IRC Sec 41) is generally 20% of the increase in research activities over a base amount and includes some very complicated calculations related to payments made to certain outside organizations and for energy research.
The base amount is a fixed percentage of a taxpayer’s average annual gross receipts from a U.S. trade or business, net of returns, and allowances for the 4 tax years before the credit year. It can’t be less than 50% of the current year’s qualified research expenses.
There is also a simplified credit calculation, which may be more suitable for a smaller business, that is equal to 14% (instead of 20%) of the excess of the qualified research expenses for the tax year over 50% of the average qualified research expenses for the three tax years preceding the tax year for which the credit is determined.
Most of the complications involve larger businesses, while smaller businesses may fail to take advantage of the credit, not realizing those complications probably do not apply to them. Thus, many medium- to small-size businesses fail to claim the credit. The good news is that if your company qualifies for the credit and hasn’t utilized it, it can be claimed on an amended tax return for a prior year that is within the statute of limitations.
The credit also includes two features that are favorable to small businesses ($50 million or less in gross receipts).
· They may claim the credit against the alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability, and
· The credit can be used by even smaller businesses ($5 million or less in gross receipts) against the employer’s part of the Social Security portion of the employer’s payroll tax (the FICA liability).
To qualify for the credit, the research and development must be conducted on U.S. soil (including Puerto Rico and U.S. possessions) and generally includes qualified research expenses, defined by the tax code as:
· Qualified wages paid to or incurred by an employee.
· Supplies used in research and development other than:
o Land and improvements to land and
o Property that is subject to depreciation.
· Contract research expenses paid to a person other than an employee for qualified research. However, only 65% of these expenses qualify.
· Consortium expenses (research expenses paid to certain nonprofits engaged in scientific research) limited to 75% of the expense.
· Amounts paid to eligible small businesses, universities, and federal laboratories.
· Qualified energy research at 100% of the expense.
To qualify for the credit, the taxpayer must show that the activities:
· Are intended to resolve technological uncertainty related to the capability or methodology for developing or improving the business component or the appropriate design of the business component.
· Rely on a hard science, such as engineering, computer, biological, or physical science.
· Are related to the development of a new or improved business component, defined as new or improved products, processes, internal use computer software, techniques, formulas, or inventions to be sold or used in the taxpayer’s trade or business, and
· Entirely constitute a process of experimentation involving testing and evaluation of alternatives to eliminate technological uncertainty.
The foregoing is a basic overview of the research credit, which can be quite simple for a smaller business but can become quite complicated for a larger business and those with more involved research and development expenses. Please contact this office for more details on how this credit may apply to your business.
Want tax & accounting tips and insights?
Sign up for our newsletter.
“Bernard and his team at BR tax group are top notch. This is my first year using them after switching from a different local CPA and I didn't realize how much tax info I've been missing. His communication is great. The additional information he provides to maximize tax savings is something I didn't get from my previous CPA. Thanks Bernard”
Frequently Asked Questions
-
You can prepare your taxes yourself, especially if your business is simple.
But once you have contractors, employees, business loans, equipment purchases, mileage, mixed expenses, or growing revenue, things get more complex. At that point, tax preparation becomes a way to make sure your business is reported correctly, your deductions are handled properly, and your records can support what you file.
-
Send anything that shows what your business earned, spent, bought, paid, borrowed, or changed during the year.
That usually means your income records, bank statements, credit card statements, payroll reports, contractor payments, loan documents, mileage records, and prior-year tax return. Also tell me about anything unusual, such as buying a vehicle, hiring someone, opening a new location, or taking out a business loan.
-
Messy books can slow things down. If expenses are in the wrong categories, transactions are missing, or personal and business spending are mixed together, your tax return may not show the right profit. We may need to clean things up before filing, so your return is accurate and easier to support.
-
Possibly, if it was truly for your business and you have proof.
Still, it is much better to avoid this when you can. A separate business bank account and business credit card make everything cleaner. They save time, reduce confusion, and make your records much easier to defend if anyone ever asks questions.
-
Most small business owners can deduct ordinary business expenses like software, advertising, supplies, insurance, rent, payroll, contractor payments, professional fees, travel, and some vehicle costs.
The question I usually ask is simple. Was this expense clearly for the business? If yes, we can look at how it should be handled. Personal expenses should stay personal.
Our Offices
Georgetown
Austin - Arboretum
Austin Downtown
Let's Get Started
Our services are designed specifically for business start-ups, entrepreneurs and small businesses of all sizes. Let’s start the conversation.
Site managed by http://www.webstrategyboost.com/