What is the Research and Development Tax Credit & Who Qualifies?
Update: Research and Development Tax Credit Changes from the Big Beautiful Bill
Before we take a deep dive into the Research & Development Tax Credit, here’s a quick update on a related tax change that went into effect on July 4, 2025.
Under the Big Beautiful Bill, domestic research and software development costs can once again be fully expensed in the year incurred, thanks to a new rule under Section 174A. This reverses the 2022 rule that required businesses to amortize R&D costs over five years – a major pain point, especially for SaaS companies and other pre-revenue startups burning heavily on product.
Here’s what changed:
Domestic R&D (including software development) is now fully deductible starting in 2025.
Foreign R&D still has to be amortized over 15 years.
You can still elect to capitalize domestic R&D if you prefer (e.g., for GAAP/tax alignment).
There are also transition options for R&D costs incurred in 2022–2024:
Amend those prior-year returns (only if you’re under $31M in revenue)
Deduct all in 2025, or
Spread deductions over 2025–2026
Important Note: This change affects how you deduct your expenses – it doesn’t change the R&D Tax Credit itself. But it may improve how your tax position reflects your real burn, especially if you’re investing heavily in U.S.-based engineering.
Now, back to the credit – and how to figure out if you qualify!
What is the Research and Development Tax Credit?
Regardless of how much we earn or what type of music we like to listen to, one thing that unites pretty much all Americans is the desire for a lower tax bill. For businesses, large and small, it’s no different. As for tax credits? They make this possible.
However, for entrepreneurs, it is nearly impossible to keep up with the latest changes to the tax code. Let’s take a deep dive into the Research and Development Tax Credit (AKA the R&D Tax Credit), exploring how entrepreneurs like you can take advantage of this beneficial tax break.
The R&D Tax Credit is a federal and state tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code section 41 to incentivize companies to perform research and development activities within the United States.
The credit has expired and been extended several times since first introduced in the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981. In 2015, the Obama administration made the credit permanent, allowing the U.S. to become more internationally competitive with research and development opportunities.
The R&D Tax Credit provides major benefits (think in billions of dollars for companies each year), making it the most significant U.S. tax incentive, in terms of the sheer dollar amount. However, tax credits don’t always come easily to the little guy, and the R&D Tax Credit definitely has some hoops to jump through.
Yet, one of the most significant issues isn’t the programs themselves, but it’s the equal access, or lack thereof, that taxpayers have to them. While big corporations have historically had the upper hand over small businesses in receiving their benefits, the legislative changes in recent years have made this credit more accessible.
What exactly qualifies as research and development?
It’s more inclusive than most would assume – many businesses perform activities for the R&D Tax Credit without even realizing it. Examples of industries that often qualify include biotech, software development, and agriculture. (Most companies that have an engineer or developer on staff would meet the requirements.)
To help determine if you qualify, the IRS has outlined a straightforward 4-part test:
- Permitted purpose: Are you developing or improving a product, process, formula or software?
- Technological in nature: Is your work within physical or biological sciences, engineering, or computer sciences?
- Elimination of uncertainty: Are you asking questions like, “Can we develop it?” Or “How do we develop it?”
- Process of experimentation: Are you systematically evaluating one or more alternatives?
Progress Over Perfection
After years of creating internal training from scratch, I have learned that perfection is not the goal. Progress is. Keeping content current has always been one of the hardest parts. Once team members become confident, they stop referring back to the material, and it is not until you hire someone new that you realize how outdated things have become. With the pace of change in software, it is time for us to expect more from our technology partners to help educate users as updates happen.
That is what makes the ProAdvisor Academy so valuable. It supports steady growth with reliable, up-to-date training that helps teams move forward one step at a time. The ProAdvisor Training Manager helps leaders see that progress, celebrate milestones, and keep development visible across the firm.
When we focus on progress instead of perfection, training becomes more human. It builds confidence, strengthens engagement, and creates space for people to grow into their potential. That is how we prepare our teams for whatever comes next.
What are some R&D Tax Credit examples?
Many people ask: what type of expenses can be claimed?
Three types of expenses can be included in the Research and Development Tax Credit calculation for your qualified project: wages, contract expenses, and supplies.
Wages are very often the largest component. Salaries paid to U.S.-based engineers, designers, and direct supervisors are all qualified expenses. A portion of payments. made to U.S.-based contractors are also eligible.
Lastly, the supplies that are non-capital/non-depreciable materials used or consumed in the development process, such as prototype materials, can be claimed.
8 reasons startups miss the Research and Development Tax Credit
1. It sounds too good to be true.
Entrepreneurs expect to work hard for funding, so they can initially be skeptical about this benefit they’ve already earned. The R&D Tax Credit is a legitimate government program that rewards investments in innovation.
2. I’m not earning any revenue, so I didn’t think I qualified for the R&D Tax Credit.
Companies don’t need revenue to claim the credit and don’t need to be paying income tax. The credit can be taken as a payroll tax offset, up to $500K per year, by qualified small businesses. You are considered a qualified small business if you have less than $5 million in revenue and are within five years of your first gross receipt.
3. I don’t have any employees, so I didn’t think I could take the R&D Tax Credit.
Although wages are typically the biggest component of the credit calculation, contracted costs and supplies are also eligible. If you take the R&D Tax Credit as a payroll tax offset but have no payroll, the credit can be carried forward to the next quarterly return. The credit doesn’t expire and continues to be available until it can be fully used against payroll tax.
4. I’m not a qualified small business, so I didn’t think I could claim the R&D Tax Credit.
While only qualified startups can take the R&D Tax Credit against payroll tax, other companies can take it against income tax. This benefit can then be carried forward for a period of 20 years. Credits generated in net loss years can be recorded as Deferred Tax Assets, enhancing your balance sheet and making your company more attractive to potential acquirers.
5. I might not do R&D work.
Many different industries and products qualify for this credit where development activities pass a four-part test. Most technology startups, including software companies, qualify.
6. My work wasn’t incorporated into my end product, so I didn’t think it qualified.
The work does not need to be successful to qualify. If you spent time and money working in a certain direction then needed to change, that effort still qualifies.
7. I already filed my taxes, so I thought it was too late to claim the R&D Tax Credit.
The R&D Tax Credit must be submitted with your annual business tax return. Some companies can amend their returns to monetize it as an income tax credit – and can even consider performing a ‘look back’ (up to 3 years) to capture unclaimed tax credits.
8. I thought the cost of an R&D study wouldn’t be worth the benefit.
The concept of an R&D Tax Credit is simple. The government wants to reward you for investing in innovation. While the concept is simple, a traditional R&D tax study is notoriously complex. The challenge is getting it done right for a reasonable effort and cost.
Research And Development Tax Credit FAQs
What is the research and development credit? Why is this credit so important to businesses?
A lot of companies either don’t know about this credit or don’t think they can qualify. People assume that R&D implies cutting-edge innovation, but that’s not the case from the tax perspective. The definition is so broad!
This credit is available to companies developing facets of their business, like processes or techniques, computer software, formulas, or inventions/products that give new or improved functionality, performance, reliability, or quality to their business.
How much is the R&D Tax Credit?
The federal credit can roughly be estimated at 6.5% of qualified research expenses. In Georgia, it can be up to 10% (a good example of Georgia being a tax-friendly state). The credit can be used to offset payroll taxes, income taxes, or AMT, depending on specific characteristics of the company claiming the credit.
How do you calculate the R&D Tax Credit?
There are two separate calculations on a federal level. Most states have their own calculation methodology, too, offering a credit to offset state tax liability. Regardless of calculation, all states consistently follow the federal R&D qualification guidelines.
What qualifies for an R&D Tax Credit? Who can claim the R&D Tax Credit? Why don’t some companies qualify for it?
Using contractors who aren’t located in the United States is a big one. Research and development must be US-based to maximize the tax credit. We also sometimes see companies who have received some type of government grant to do the research and development who do not qualify for the credit.
What are the main challenges for companies trying to claim the R&D Tax Credit?
Thinking they can do it on their own. We have guidance on what the IRS wants to see, but there are no specific requirements. That’s why it’s so beneficial to leverage an expert – they know what documentation is needed, understand how things should be set up and have the experience to help companies take full advantage of the R&D Tax Credit.
What are some R&D Tax Credit examples?
The credits you can qualify for depend on the industry! For example, your startup could qualify if you’re in the apparel, food & beverage, healthcare, or technology industries, just to name a few.
Is research and development tax deductible?
Yes, but the tax deduction is separate from the R&D Tax Credit. You can deduct your expenses like normal on your tax return, but the R&D Tax Credit is a benefit above and beyond that deduction.
Quick tips from Acuity on how to move forward
Talk to the CPA that prepares your taxes.
The R&D Tax Credit can be incredibly impactful for a business. This credit can enable companies to take on additional headcount or provide capital back to the business. More companies qualify than they would think.
It’s worth initiating a conversation with an expert to see if this is an option for your business. Reach out today if you’re in need of a financial expert – we’re here to help!
Talk to someone who specializes in accounting for the R&D Tax Credit.
The benefit of using a specialist is that they don’t get paid unless you get paid, so your interests are aligned. Plus, they aren’t limited to the same rules as your tax CPA because they don’t sign your tax return. Their usual fee on a contingency basis is 25-30% of the amount of the credit.
Look into other tax credits and deductions that you might be eligible for.
Check out this list of startup tax deductions & credits to see if you qualify for any.
Keep up with all important tax deadlines, and file an extension if needed.
Use our business tax deadlines guide to stay on top of important tax dates! You can also check out this information on how and why to file a tax extension.
Reach out for help if you need it!
Business taxes are complicated, and it can be stressful to try to keep up, stay compliant, and ensure that you’re not leaving money on the table. We are here to help! If you’re already an Acuity bookkeeping customer and would like to learn more about our tax practice, head over to our tax services page.
If you’re interested in learning more about our services and how we can get your financial engine up and running, book a free demo with our experts! We’re here to answer any and all of your questions.