R&D Credits Receive Intense Scrutiny

Many companies that do research and development don’t avail themselves of state and federal tax credits because they are not aware of them or are afraid of all the hoops that they have to go through. If one hoop isn’t jumped or if it is not done correctly, the whole tax credit can fall apart. That’s why companies often use an outside firm that specializes in this type of tax preparation.

R&D tax credits are meant to make it easier for American companies to put money into making their products better. Unfortunately, the scrutiny that the credits receive often keeps companies from taking advantage of them or even doing research and development in the first place.

Preparation

The scrutiny doesn’t begin with the government, but with the company itself. Whether it’s determining if existing R & D efforts are eligible or if you should be considering developing an R&D operation, the requirements to qualify for the credits are intricate and many. If you don’t qualify for one of them, the program probably won’t qualify at all. All the money that was spent, potentially millions, will be a total loss with no chance of governmental credit. The credit was to spur the growth of the economy, but only for those that are able to do it within the rules and regulations.

Renewal and Expiration

The federal and state research and development tax credits are not automatically renewed every year. Like many tax credits, they are given so many years of implementation and then must be either renewed or allowed to expire. The renewal is never a guarantee, so before considering developing an R & D program with the decision to apply for the credits for a given number of years, make sure the credits will be around. The last thing a company wants is to spend millions of dollars on R&D only to have the tax credit package removed.

Scrutiny After Filing

Once the proper forms have been filed, the government regulatory and tax agencies will go over the program with a fine toothed comb. According to businessweek.com, this administration has been particularly judicious in its scrutiny. They want to make sure the program fits all the criteria and that the amount received is actually the amount owed by the government. If anything seems out of place, the business could be audited. This is a process that no one enjoys, but if you have all the proper paperwork and a strong tax company at your side, the company should weather it without a problem. Along with a possible audit, the company may also receive additional information from governmental bodies and agencies prior to its approval.

Research and development is a vital aspect to many businesses. The development of new products and the improvement of existing products is one way a company can generate additional revenue. The money to develop these products can be massive, and that’s why the tax credit was created. It’s worthwhile for companies to go after them, but only if they can follow the rules.