Our R&D Tax Credit Services

Author: Jess Doocey | Published: March 14, 2026

Answer Capsule: What services does Swanson Reed offer?

Swanson Reed provides a specialized, end-to-end suite of corporate tax advisory Services dedicated exclusively to innovation incentives. Because we are an independent specialist firm, we manage the entire lifecycle of a claim—from foundational Research Tax Credit Preparation (both domestic and Global) to technical IRS Audit Defense. Furthermore, we bridge the gap between finance and technology by offering proprietary Research Tax Credit Software and non-dilutive Funding solutions. All engagements are conducted under transparent, fixed Fees. Swanson Reed does not offer success fees: we never charge a percentage of the credit you receive or make our fee contingent on the outcome of your claim, which guarantees our objectivity. Every every client interaction is strictly protected by our rigorous Complaint and Privacy Policy.

Key Takeaways

End-to-End Management: We don’t just calculate your credit; we prepare the technical substantiation, file the claim, and provide aggressive defense in the event of an audit.
Tech-Enabled Solutions: Our service lines are augmented by proprietary SaaS tools designed to integrate directly with your company’s operational and payroll data.
No Success Fees: Swanson Reed does not offer success fees or any other contingency-based pricing. Our fees are fixed and agreed in advance, never calculated as a percentage of your credit, which preserves our professional independence and protects your bottom line.

The Swanson Reed Service Ecosystem

Service Category	Core Capabilities	Client Benefit
Tax Advisory & Preparation	Domestic and Global R&D claim calculation, QRE tracing, and technical report writing.	Maximizes the financial value of innovation incentives while ensuring strict regulatory compliance.
Risk & Capital Management	IRS/State Audit Defense representation and R&D tax credit cash flow funding.	Protects the integrity of the claim and accelerates access to non-dilutive working capital.
Technology & Operations	Deployment of Research Tax Credit Software and customized, fixed-fee engagement structures (no success fees).	Streamlines internal data collection and provides absolute budgetary certainty for corporate finance teams.

Explore Our Specialist Solutions

Navigate our specific advisory, software, and capital solutions below:

Service Line	Description
Research Tax Credit Preparation	Our core advisory service. We conduct engineer-led technical interviews and rigorous financial tracing to prepare audit-ready, maximized R&D claims under IRC Section 41.
Research Tax Credit Audit Defense	Expert representation and controversy management. Our tax attorneys and CPAs defend your historical R&D claims against IRS and state-level Information Document Requests (IDRs).
Research Tax Credit Funding	Accelerate your cash flow. We provide fast, non-dilutive capital advances secured directly against your pending federal or state R&D tax refunds.
Research Tax Credit Software	Deploy our proprietary SaaS platform to automate the identification of Qualified Research Expenses (QREs), track employee time, and streamline the generation of Form 6765.
Global Research Tax Credit Preparation	Cross-border tax strategy for multinational corporations. We help you navigate complex international tax regimes to optimize innovation incentives across multiple global jurisdictions.
Our Fees	Review our transparent, ethical pricing models. We offer fixed-fee and phased engagements only. Swanson Reed does not offer success fees or contingency pricing of any kind, guaranteeing 100% professional objectivity.

We provide R&D tax credit claim services exclusively

Founded in 1984 as Reed & Co. by J.W. Norris, Swanson Reed is one of the largest specialist R&D tax credit advisors in the United States. We exclusively provide R&D tax credit consulting and IRS audit services. With a presence in all 50 U.S. states, we actively engage in providing services for all available state and federal R&D tax credit government initiatives. Swanson Reed’s TaxTrex is one of the most advanced AI language models trained in R&D tax credits on the market. TaxTrex is Artificial Intelligence (AI) that helps you self-claim the R&D tax credit in just 90 minutes. Once the AI completes the claim, Swanson Reed will utilize its six-eye review process to ensure the R&D claim is defensible in case of an IRS audit. We file over 1,500 R&D tax credit submissions per year and have secured over US$1.5 billion in R&D tax credits for our clients.

Our Difference

We care about price – Our fee structure is the most transparent in the market. We do not offer success fees; you pay a fixed fee agreed upfront, not a percentage of your credit.
We care about risk – We’re one of the most, if not the most, conservative R&D tax providers in the market.
We are here to stay – Founded in 1984, we are one of America’s largest specialist R&D tax firms. We exclusively provide R&D tax credit services.
We are independent – We are not connected to any CPA firm and will never receive funding from a third party, to ensure we never have a conflict.
We think we’re the best – We do one thing, and we do it better than anyone else because it’s all we do.

Better Business Bureau Accredited

Cybersecurity Accredited

Risk Management Accredited

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Framework Element	Description	Implication for Clients
Six-Eye Review	A mandatory internal review of every claim by a qualified engineer, a scientist, and a CPA or Enrolled Agent.	Ensures the claim is technically sound, financially accurate, and compliant with tax law, maximizing defensibility.
ISO 31000:2009 (Risk Mgmt)	An international framework for the firm’s comprehensive risk management policies and processes.	Provides objective, third-party validation of the firm’s commitment to mitigating client tax risk.
ISO 27001 (Info Security)	A leading global standard for establishing and maintaining an information security management system (ISMS).	Guarantees the highest level of protection for sensitive intellectual property and confidential financial data.
IRS CE Provider	Approved by the Internal Revenue Service to provide continuing education credits to Enrolled Agents.	Signifies a level of expertise and trustworthiness recognized by the U.S. federal tax authority.
NASBA CPE Provider	Certified by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy to provide continuing education to CPAs.	Establishes the firm as an authority in its field, trusted to educate other accounting professionals.
BBB Accreditation (A+ Rating)	Accredited by the Better Business Bureau with the highest possible rating for ethical business practices.	Confirms a strong track record of client satisfaction and a commitment to resolving issues transparently.

Ensuring You Receive Your R&D Tax Credits

Preparing an R&D tax credit claim is a meticulous process that requires a deep understanding of both technical and financial aspects. As Swanson Reed focuses solely on R&D tax credit claims, we are of the view that we are best prepared to assist. R&D tax credit claim preparation involves a careful collation and analysis of technical information to identify qualifying activities, the preparation of formal government documents and supplementary technical documentation to substantiate the claim, the application of detailed accounting methodologies to calculate eligible expenses, and a thorough understanding of the R&D tax credit regulations and IRS administrative processes to ensure compliance. Each step is critical to maximizing the value of your claim while minimizing the risk of audits or disputes.

Who is Eligible to Claim R&D Tax Credits?

The R&D tax credit is designed to benefit businesses of all sizes, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations. To qualify, companies must engage in activities that meet the criteria set by the IRS. These activities include, but are not limited to:
– The design and development of new products or processes;
– Enhancements to existing workflows and operational processes;
– The creation and implementation of new software or computer systems;
– The development of prototypes or products that have not yet entered production; and
– Improvements to existing products to enhance functionality, performance, or efficiency.

If your business is involved in any of these activities, you may be eligible to claim R&D tax credits, which can provide significant financial benefits.

Are you eligible?

Why choose us?

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Understanding Your Entitlement

Claiming R&D tax credits is not just about identifying what you can claim—it’s also about ensuring that those credits are retainable and defensible. This requires a comprehensive understanding of your company’s operations, processes, and innovation activities. Proper documentation is key to supporting your claim and safeguarding it against potential IRS scrutiny. At Swanson Reed, our team of experts specializes in providing tailored advice to help you create the necessary documentation, maintain compliance, and maximize your tax credit benefits. With our support, you can be confident that you are receiving the full financial advantage to which your business is entitled.

What Are the Benefits of R&D Tax Credits?

The benefits of R&D tax credits extend far beyond immediate financial relief. Companies that successfully claim these credits often experience improved cash flow and reduced tax liabilities, freeing up resources that can be reinvested into the business. This additional capital can be used to prioritize growth initiatives, fund further research and development, or expand operations. Over time, these investments contribute to the long-term success and competitiveness of your business.

Moreover, the ripple effects of increased R&D activity benefit the broader economy. By encouraging innovation, R&D tax credits drive the development of new products, advanced manufacturing techniques, and cutting-edge technologies, which ultimately enhance productivity and quality of life for the population as a whole. In Texas, this translates to a stronger, more dynamic economy that fosters job creation and economic growth.

Are You Eligible for an R&D Tax Credit?

If your business is engaged in innovative activities, you could be sitting on untapped financial opportunities. Don’t leave money on the table—take the first step toward securing your R&D tax credits today. Find out if you’re eligible here and discover how Swanson Reed can help you unlock the full potential of your innovation investments. Click here to learn more about the federal and state R&D Tax Credits.

Audit Services and Swanson Reed’s creditARMOR

creditARMOR is Swanson Reed’s AI-assisted R&D tax credit mock audit and audit management platform. It helps businesses identify potential weaknesses in their claims, organize supporting records, and prepare clear explanations of how their research activities and expenses support the credit claimed. Its technology supports professional review rather than replacing specialist judgment.

The creditARMOR mock audit examines the information supplied to highlight documentation gaps, inconsistencies, and questions requiring further investigation. This helps businesses connect technical project records with payroll and financial information. A favorable mock audit result does not guarantee that a claim is correct or that a tax authority will accept it.

For businesses already subject to an R&D tax credit audit, Swanson Reed provides its own audit services pro bono when the claim under examination passes the creditARMOR mock audit, within a written engagement defining the scope and limits. Any qualifying mock audit fee is disclosed separately. The offer excludes reimbursement of third-party fees, taxes, interest, penalties, or other losses and creates no entitlement to assistance with future audits. Click here to learn more about creditARMOR.

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Swanson Reed’s Do-It-Yourself R&D Tax Credit Software

TaxTrex R&D Tax Claim Software

Swanson Reed’s TaxTrex is one of the most advanced AI language models trained in R&D tax credits on the market. TaxTrex is Artificial Intelligence (AI) that helps you self-claim the R&D tax credit in just 90 minutes. Click here to learn more about TaxTrex. Alternatively, please contact us or phone 817-730-9726.

At Swanson Reed, we are different because we live the principles of:

Confidence
Transparency
Insightfulness
Simplicity

Through these principles, we provide a service that is distinctly different from anything offered by the ‘Big 4’ or second-tier accounting houses.

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