The R&D tax credit can be used in many ways by small businesses. Qualified small businesses can claim tax credits for research expenses that rise over time, and this credit can only be claimed if your costs have increased over the previous year.

This credit can offset FICA payroll taxes of up to $250,000. Qualified small businesses have a minimum annual gross receipt of $5 million and have been in operation for less than five years. Your small business can claim tax credits for research expenses, even if it isn’t yet producing revenue.

The R&D credit was created in 1981 to encourage research and development (R&D) in the United States. It is a dollar for dollar offset of federal income tax liability and payroll tax liability in some cases. The credit is available in most states, and it can be used to offset 10-20% of qualified expenditures.

Its statutory IRC Section 41 title is “Credit for Increasing Research Activity.” However, it is more commonly known as “R&D Credit”, “Research & Experimentation Credit”, or simply “research credit.”

The R&D credit is the sum of two types of expenses: (1) Qualified research expenses (QREs) and (2) Basic Research Payments (BRPs).

QREs should be specifically designed for commercial purposes. QREs do not have to be used for scientific research, and they can also be used for duplicative or derivative investigations. Additionally, QREs do not have to be used for scientific advancement, and they can also be used for product, process and software improvement.

The U.S. corporate taxpayers reported nearly $400 million in BRPs the year before the IRS reported statistics (2013). However, taxpayers reported more federal QREs that same year, more than $470 billion. This is more than 99% of the year’s R&D creditable expenses.

What activities qualify?

Activities that meet the “four-part test” are generally considered eligible.

Test in Four Parts

Qualified purpose. The activity aims to improve the functionality, reliability, quality, or performance of a product or process, software, method, invention, or formula intended for the taxpayer’s business or kept for sale, lease, or license (component).

Technological uncertainty. Uncertainty for the taxpayer about whether or not it can develop the component or its appropriate design.

The process of experimentation. The taxpayer can eliminate uncertainty by evaluating alternatives using simulations, modelling, systematic trial-and-error or other methods.

Technological in nature. The principles of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science or other natural or “hard science” determine the success or failure of an evaluative process, rather than principles of economics or social sciences in general.

What activities do not qualify?

Because they were not considered to encourage an increase in R&D in the U. S. credit was intended to stimulate, some activities are exempt.

• Activities that are not included in the exclusions list include:
• Extensive research was done outside of the U.S.
• Routine data collection and ordinary testing to ensure quality control of components existing in the system
• Market research
• Management
• Testing consumer preferences

Unrelated third parties can fund research, which means that the taxpayer doesn’t have rights to the activities or must pay for them. The unrelated third party is legally obligated to pay even if it fails to produce the desired results.

Other activities are not eligible because they generally don’t pass the four-part test.

• Administration
• Training
• Maintenance and repairs
• Preproduction planning of a finished component
• Production tooling up
• Trial production runs
• Troubleshooting
• Data accumulating about production processes
• Activities that rely on the arts, social sciences, and humanities
• After commercialization, research
• Modifying existing components to meet a customer’s specific needs
• Reverse engineering allows you to duplicate an existing part.

What expenses qualify?

Employees who directly supervise or support qualified activities are eligible for tax-free wages.

Supplies used in suitable activities.

The taxpayer can claim 65%-100% of the contract research expenses for qualified activities. However, the taxpayer must retain substantial rights to the activity’s outcomes and pay the contractor regardless of whether it succeeds.

Business R&D Payment Roll Tax Credit

The Qualified Small Business R&D Payroll Credit (QSB) is a tax incentive designed explicitly for companies in the early stages. This credit can be used to offset federal income tax or payroll tax.

QSB R&D payroll tax credit reduces U.S. labor costs for early-stage companies up to 6.2% (capped at $250,000). Eligible companies can use all or part of their research tax credit to reduce their payroll tax liability instead of increasing their income tax liability. Qualified businesses may be eligible to claim credits on their original federal income tax returns, and these credits can then be applied against OASDI payroll taxes.

“Qualified small business” means any company with less than five years of revenue and less than $5million in current revenues with qualifying research activities or expenditures.

A good candidate is an early-stage company with employees who are willing to engage in technology development or research. Startups often operate at a loss and need additional cash flow, and the incentive can be a significant benefit.

How Does it Benefit Small Businesses?

The QSB R&D payroll tax credit can benefit small businesses in many ways:

1. It can help offset the costs of hiring new employees.
2. It can help offset the costs of training existing employees.
3. It can help offset the costs of buying new equipment.
4. It can help offset the costs of research and development.

Businesses must file Form 6765 with their tax return to receive the credit.

What expenses qualify?

The following expenses are eligible for the QSB payroll tax credit:

Wages are paid to employees who engage in qualified research activities, including engineers, scientists, and technicians.

Supplies used in qualified research activities.

Equipment used in qualified research activities.

Rent or lease payments for space used in qualified research activities.

What is the credit rate?

The credit rate is 6.2% of eligible wages paid to employees engaged in qualified research activities. The maximum credit that can be claimed is $250,000 per year.

What is the deadline for claiming the credit?

The deadline for claiming the credit is December 31st of the year following the calendar year in which the qualified research activities were performed.

How do I claim the credit?

Businesses must file Form 6765 with their tax return to claim the credit. The form must be accompanied by a statement that describes the qualified research activities performed and the number of wages paid to employees engaged in those activities.

What are the requirements for claiming the credit?

To claim the credit, businesses must meet the following requirements:

• The business must be a qualified small business.
• The company must have engaged in qualified research activities.
• The business must have paid wages to employees engaged in those activities.
• The business must have incurred expenses for supplies, equipment, or space used in those activities.
• The business must have provided a statement that describes the qualified research activities performed and the number of wages paid to employees engaged in those activities.

How do I know if my business is a qualified small business?

To be a qualified small business, businesses must meet the following criteria:

• The business must have less than five years of revenue.
• The business must have less than $5 million in current revenues.
• The business must have qualified research activities or expenditures.

What are qualified research activities?

Qualified research activities are defined as any activity undertaken to discover information that is technological and intended to be useful in the development of a new or improved product, process, technique, or software.

Businesses must have qualified research activities or expenditures to be eligible for the credit.

What are qualified research expenditures?

Qualified research expenditures are defined as any expenditure incurred in connection with the conduct of qualified research. This includes wages paid to employees engaged in qualified research activities, supplies used in qualified research activities, and equipment used in qualified research activities.

Businesses must have qualified research activities or expenditures to be eligible for the credit.

How is the credit calculated?

The credit is calculated by multiplying the eligible wages paid to employees engaged in qualified research activities by 6.2%. The maximum credit that can be claimed is $250,000 per year.

Why should you apply for a small business r&d tax credit?

There are many reasons businesses should apply for the small business r&d tax credit. First, the credit can help offset the cost of engaging in qualified research activities.

Second, credit can help businesses improve their bottom line by reducing their tax liability. Finally, the credit can help businesses attract and retain talented employees by making it more affordable to engage in qualified research activities.

Conclusion

The small business r&d tax credit can be valuable for businesses that engage in qualified research activities. The credit can help offset the cost of engaging in qualified research activities and help reduce businesses’ tax liability.

Businesses considering applying for the credit should consult with a tax professional to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements and learn more about how the credit can benefit their business.