Robotics, Computer Technology and Engineering Tax Credits

Answer Capsule: Robotics & Engineering R&D Tax Credit Small Business Guide Webinar

What is this webinar about? This webinar provides a step-by-step guide designed specifically for small businesses to understand and claim the Research and Development (R&D) tax credit in the robotics, engineering, and similar industries (such as Artificial Intelligence). Hosted by Swanson Reed’s tech-forward team of R&D tax credit specialists, this session aims to help innovators and startups in these sectors understand the 4-part test, correctly substantiate qualifying research activities, and maximize cash flow reinvestments.

Webinar Detail	Information
Target Audience	Small Businesses, Startups, and Innovators in Robotics, Engineering & AI
Date & Time	Tuesday, 22 September 2026 \| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT (Central Time)
Webinar Hosts	Jess Doocey & Ebony Kirkpatrick

Key Takeaways:

Step-by-Step Industry Guidance: Comprehensive walkthrough of the R&D tax credit focusing explicitly on robotics, engineering, and AI business implications.
Identify Qualifying Activities: Breakdowns on defining the 4-Part Test and pinpointing Qualifying Research Expenses (QREs) specific to hardware and software development.
Compliance & Documentation: Expert insights on substantiating claims to satisfy IRS requirements safely and effectively.

UPCOMING LIVE WEBINAR

The R&D Tax Credit in the Robotics, Computer Technology and Engineering Industries

Date & Time: As Detailed Above | Duration: 60 Minutes

R&D Tax Credits: 80% of companies that qualify don’t claim! Every year, companies throw away thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars because of simple misunderstandings surrounding the research and development (R&D) tax credit. Amendment claims can go back three years and in most situations produce sizable refunds for past R&D activities.

WEBINAR DETAILS

Title: The R&D Tax Credit in the Robotics, Computer Technology and Engineering Industries

Date: As Detailed Above

Time: As Detailed Above

Cost: FREE

Learning objectives include:

An overview of R&D Tax Credits
Identify Qualifying Research Activities
Define the 4-Part Test
How to substantiate activities through documentation
Identify Qualifying Research Expenses

CE/CPE credits: Worth one hour

Knowledge Level: Basic*

Field of Study: Taxation

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Why Choose Us

We are certified to the ISO31000:2009 Risk Management standard
We are NASBA certified and provide daily CPE credits to CPAs, CFPs, and SMBs
We are an IRS approved Continuing Education provider for CPAs and Enrolled Agents
We have an rated A+ with the Better Businese Beureau
Our R&D tax audit insurance product, creditARMOR is one of the most cost effective tools on the market
Our AI language model, TaxTrex prepares R&D tax credit claims in less than 90 minutes.
Each R&D tax claims prepared by Swanson Reed undergo a six eye review by a Qualified Engineer, Scientist and Enrolled Agent or CPA.

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Small businesses in the engineering industry can benefit significantly from the Research and Development tax credit by reducing their federal tax liability for qualified research activities. For startups with little or no income tax liability, the Research and Development payroll tax offset is especially valuable, allowing them to apply the credit toward payroll taxes instead. This helps free up cash flow and offset the high costs of paying engineers and technical staff, enabling continued innovation and growth even in the early stages of development. Taking advantage of this credit can provide crucial financial support for engineering-focused startups.

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Engineering Case Study

Hunter Engineering, a family-run business producing custom, environmentally-friendly hunting products, undertook a project to design and develop an alternate copper fishing sinker after lead sinkers were banned in several regions due to environmental concerns. This project involved key areas of investigation and experimentation, including reshaping the sinker due to copper’s lighter weight to ensure proper sinking and casting, and developing a coating to prevent copper erosion. To be eligible for the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit, Hunter Engineering identified four R&D activities as “qualified research”: designing and developing a series of prototypes for the copper sinker, conducting trials and analyzing data for reproducible results and testing coatings, performing background research to evaluate knowledge gaps and determine feasibility, and analyzing customer feedback to improve the prototype design. These activities, considered “qualified research” for their role in developing a new or improved business component and meeting the “Four-Part Test” (Permitted Purpose, Elimination of Uncertainty, Process of Experimentation, and Technological in Nature), were crucial for developing an efficient copper sinker. Despite the extensive R&D, Hunter Engineering’s documentation was limited to design drawings, highlighting a need for more comprehensive record-keeping like project records, lab notes, and testing results to be “compliance ready” for potential IRS audits. Click here to learn more.