Prepare Your R&D Tax Credit Claim for Review with creditARMOR
An R&D tax credit claim needs more than a calculation. It needs supporting records that explain what your business sought to develop, the technical uncertainties it faced, the research activities performed, and how the claimed expenses relate to that work.
creditARMOR is Swanson Reed’s AI-assisted mock audit and audit management platform. It helps businesses identify potential weaknesses in their R&D tax credit documentation, organize supporting information, and prepare for questions raised during an examination.
A mock audit evaluates the information provided. It does not establish that a claim is correct, determine whether a tax authority will examine it, or guarantee that the credit will be accepted.
Understand What an R&D Tax Credit Audit May Involve
During an examination, the IRS or a state tax authority may question whether activities qualify as research, whether expenses are eligible, and whether the records support the amounts claimed. Relevant documentation may include technical project records, payroll information, contracts, and financial records.
An IRS Information Document Request or a comparable state request may require your business to provide information by a specified deadline. Organizing records and identifying documentation gaps can help your business prepare its response.
If a claim is reduced or disallowed, additional tax and interest may be due. Penalties may also apply, depending on the circumstances. A well-supported claim helps explain your position but cannot eliminate the possibility of an adjustment.
How the creditARMOR Mock Audit Helps
creditARMOR uses AI-assisted analysis to identify matters that may require closer attention. Depending on the information supplied and the agreed scope of review, it can help your business:
- Identify gaps in project descriptions and explanations of technical uncertainty or experimentation.
- Review the connection between claimed expenses and the research activities described.
- Highlight inconsistencies, missing information, and questions requiring further investigation.
- Organize records for professional review and potential audit responses.
The review depends on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided. AI can make mistakes or overlook relevant facts. Its output should be evaluated by a qualified tax professional before it is relied upon or submitted to a tax authority.
Pro Bono Services for an Existing R&D Tax Credit Audit
If your business is currently subject to an R&D tax credit audit and the claim under examination passes our creditARMOR mock audit, Swanson Reed will provide its own audit services for that existing examination pro bono, without charging professional service fees for the services included in the engagement.
This offer applies to an examination already underway when you request assistance. Swanson Reed must confirm the qualifying mock audit result in writing. A passing result reflects our assessment of the information reviewed; it is not approval by a tax authority or a guarantee of a successful outcome.
Before you agree to the qualifying mock audit, we will explain the applicable assessment criteria, the scope and limits of the pro bono assistance, and any fee for the mock audit itself. The pro bono offer applies to the specified audit services; it does not represent that a qualifying mock audit, software subscription, or other service is free.
Before audit assistance begins, a written engagement will identify the existing examination, tax years, services included without professional service fees, service limits, and any expenses your business remains responsible for. Engagements remain subject to applicable conflict-of-interest rules and professional requirements.
Pro bono assistance is limited to Swanson Reed’s own services expressly included in that engagement. It does not include payment or reimbursement of third-party CPA or attorney fees, taxes, interest, penalties, denied credits, or other financial losses. Appeals and litigation are excluded unless expressly included in writing and handled by professionals authorized to perform that work.
No Commitment to Future Audit Assistance
Completing or passing a mock audit before an examination begins does not create an entitlement to assistance if your business is audited later. Purchasing a mock audit, subscribing to TaxTrex, or using another Swanson Reed service does not purchase or reserve future audit services.
An engagement for an existing examination applies only to the matter and tax years identified in writing. It does not include a commitment to assist with another examination or proceeding. This page does not amend an existing engagement or remove obligations already undertaken.
What Audit Services May Include
Depending on the written engagement, services may include organizing supporting documentation, reviewing questions raised by the examining authority, and helping prepare responses to an IRS Information Document Request or a comparable state request.
Representation before a tax authority must be undertaken by an appropriately authorized professional with the required taxpayer authorization.
Contacting Swanson Reed or submitting information for a mock audit does not extend any government deadline. Until an engagement is accepted, do not assume that Swanson Reed is handling your examination or monitoring your response dates.
Why We Offer Pro Bono Services
We value relationships with businesses that take R&D tax credit compliance seriously. Providing our own services without professional service fees on qualifying existing examinations gives businesses an opportunity to experience our approach and consider whether our other services may be useful in the future.
Our assessment of a claim informs how we approach the work. It does not predict or control the examining authority’s decision.
Build Better Records with TaxTrex
TaxTrex supports the preparation and organization of R&D project information. Used alongside creditARMOR and appropriate professional review, it can help businesses identify documentation gaps and questions that need attention.
These tools support preparation and informed decision-making. They do not replace the evidence needed to substantiate a tax credit or guarantee any tax outcome. TaxTrex pricing and service terms are separate from the pro bono services described above.
Important Service Information
The services described on this page involve documentation review and professional assistance with a specifically identified, existing examination. No insurance policy, reimbursement benefit, or financial indemnity is offered through this page. There is no promise to pay losses or provide services upon the occurrence of a future audit.
Your business remains responsible for its tax obligations, the accuracy and completeness of information it supplies, and applicable filing and response deadlines. Responsibilities undertaken by Swanson Reed are governed by the accepted engagement and applicable law.
Neither creditARMOR, TaxTrex, nor a favorable mock audit result constitutes approval or endorsement by the IRS or any state tax authority.
Contact creditARMOR to discuss your existing R&D tax credit audit, the qualifying mock audit, and applicable service terms.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and is not tax or legal advice. No particular audit or tax outcome is guaranteed. Services are subject to applicable law, professional requirements, and the written engagement. Please contact your local Swanson Reed representative to discuss your specific circumstances.
