Sandhiya Sekar
Hawaii R&D Tax Policy Consultant | Swanson Reed – Specialist R&D Tax Advisors
Direct Contact: (808) 900-8865 | sjs@swansonreed.net
Key Takeaways
- Consultant: Hawaii R&D Tax Policy Consultant at Swanson Reed.
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Statistics, utilizing quantitative data to model tax policy impacts.
- Regional Focus: Highly knowledgeable regarding the Hawaii R&D Tax Credits Policy and its legislative impacts on local businesses.
- Sector Specialization: Prepared numerous Research and Development tax credit case studies specifically for the lean manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain industries.
- Author: Author of 10 comprehensive policy whitepapers on Hawaii R&D tax credit reform and innovation policy.
About Sandhiya Sekar
Sandhiya holds a Bachelor of Science in Statistics, serving as an R&D Tax Policy Consultant for Swanson Reed. Leveraging her strong quantitative background, Sandhiya is deeply knowledgeable about the nuances of the Hawaii R&D Tax Credits Policy and its financial implications for emerging sectors across the islands. Over her tenure, Sandhiya has prepared numerous Research and Development tax credit case studies specifically tailored for the lean manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain industries, helping companies navigate complex tax legislation to secure vital innovation funding.
Published Whitepapers & Research
Reshaping Hawaii’s Innovation Economy: Addressing the Restrictive Qualified High Technology Business Classification in the Research and Development Tax Credit Framework
An exhaustive analysis evaluating the economic damage caused by Hawaii’s ‘Qualified High Technology Business’ (QHTB) 50% activity threshold, proposing a transition to an Activity-Based Fractional Eligibility model.
Reforming Hawaii’s Innovation Economy: Addressing the First-Come, First-Served Inequity in Research and Development Tax Incentives
An exhaustive analysis evaluating the economic damage caused by Hawaii’s ‘First-Come, First-Served’ $5 million R&D tax credit cap exhaustion, proposing a Proportional (Pro-Rata) Allocation Model with a Small Business Set-Aside.
Navigating the Innovation Bottleneck: Reforming the Federal Conformity Requirement in Hawaii’s Research and Development Tax Credit
An exhaustive analysis evaluating the double burden of proof caused by Hawaii’s strict federal IRC Section 41 conformity requirements, proposing statutory decoupling, a pro-rata allocation system, and self-funded CPA verification to support SMBs.
Modernizing the Innovation Engine: Resolving Narrow Industry Definitions in the Hawaii Research and Development Tax Credit Framework
An exhaustive policy analysis exposing the economic damage caused by Hawaii’s restrictive 8-sector Qualified High Technology Business (QHTB) definition, proposing statutory technology neutrality to support AgTech and advanced manufacturing.
Strategic Alignment of the Hawaiʻi Tax Credit for Research Activities: Resolving the In-State Spend Mandate to Accelerate Small and Medium Business Innovation
An exhaustive analysis evaluating the economic damage caused by Hawaii’s rigid 100% in-state spend mandate for Contract Research Expenses (CREs), proposing an ‘Infrastructure Gap Safe Harbor Waiver’ and an ‘IP Retention Nexus’ model to protect startups.
Overcoming the Administrative Barrier: Modernizing the Hawaii Research and Development Tax Credit for Small and Medium Businesses
An exhaustive analysis evaluating the severe systemic friction of Hawaii’s multi-step R&D application portal and the FCFS speed race, proposing a unified digital interface and a return to gross-expense calculation for micro-entities.
Strategic Imperatives for Hawaii’s Economic Future: Resolving the Sunset Uncertainty of the Research and Development Tax Credit for Small and Medium Businesses
An exhaustive analysis evaluating the economic damage caused by the impending 2029 sunset of Hawaii’s R&D tax credit, proposing permanent codification linked to dynamic performance triggers and a Safe Harbor project lifecycle exemption.
Stabilizing Hawaii’s Innovation Economy: Mitigating the Unintended Risks of Proportional R&D Tax Credit Distribution Under HB 2546
An exhaustive analysis evaluating the severe financial unpredictability introduced by HB 2546’s proportional allocation model, proposing a Small Business Reserve Fund and a Guaranteed Minimum Allocation Tier to protect Hawaii’s SMBs.
Optimizing the Hawaii Research Activities Tax Credit: Mitigating Audit and Substantiation Burdens for Small and Medium Businesses
An exhaustive analysis evaluating the devastating impact of draconian federal documentation standards on Hawaii’s startup ecosystem, proposing a State-Level ‘De Minimis’ Safe Harbor and an R&D Compliance Micro-Grant program.
Catalyzing Innovation in Hawai‘i: The Case for a Payroll Tax Offset Alternative in the State Research and Development Tax Credit Framework
An exhaustive analysis exposing the severe liquidity gap created by Hawaii’s delayed R&D income tax refund, proposing a State Withholding Tax Offset and an Innovation Credit Transferability Program to deliver immediate capital to pre-revenue startups.
