R&D Tax Credits
Prepare the evidence for an R&D credit review.
Institution coordinates the evidence graph, projects, activities, personnel, records, and expense linkage, and prepares the package for review by an appropriately licensed tax professional.
What counts as evidence
Layer 1
Projects
- · Product platform
- · New capability
- · Infra R&D
Layer 2
Activities
- · Design
- · Prototype
- · Test cycles
Layer 3
Personnel
- · Engineering
- · Product
- · Applied research
Layer 4
Records
- · Time notes
- · Source control
- · Test artifacts
Layer 5
Expense linkage
- · Payroll allocations
- · Contractor invoices
- · Cloud spend
Professional review + filing
The evidence graph is prepared for review by a licensed tax professional. Institution does not opine on qualification.
Evidence layers
What we coordinate.
Projects
The initiatives that potentially qualify for R&D treatment.
Activities
Design, prototype, and test work performed within those projects.
Personnel
The engineering, product, and research contributors involved.
Records
Time notes, source control history, and test artifacts.
Expense linkage
Payroll allocations, contractor invoices, and cloud spend tied to the activity.
How the year runs
Collect evidence throughout the year, not during filing week.
- 1Baseline the projects and activities at the start of the year
- 2Capture time and expense linkage as the year progresses
- 3Assemble the evidence package before the tax cycle
- 4Hand off to a licensed tax professional for review and filing
- 5Preserve the archive with the return
Boundaries
What Institution does not do here.
- Institution does not determine qualification.
- Institution does not prepare or sign the return.
- Institution does not opine on tax positions.
- Institution does not guarantee a specific credit amount.
Pricing
R&D credit claims are priced on the credit received.
R&D tax credit claim: 15% of credit received. The fee is calculated on the credit the company actually receives.
Eligibility, the credit amount and the claim are determined by an appropriately licensed tax professional. See all published prices.
Frequently asked
Does Institution determine qualification?
No. Institution coordinates the evidence. Qualification and filing are handled by an appropriately licensed tax professional.What if we have never claimed a credit before?
We can help inventory the potential base of evidence and coordinate a professional review.Is this only for R&D-heavy companies?
No. Many operating companies undertake activities that may qualify. A licensed professional makes the final call.What is the published R&D tax credit fee?
The published add-on is 15% of credit received. Before starting, confirm how the engagement defines credit received, when fees become due, any minimums or other costs, and the scope of amended returns or notice support. A percentage headline alone does not establish every payment term.Review specialty add-on pricingDoes software development or AI work automatically qualify?
No. A tax professional reviews the activities, costs, business facts and applicable rules. A company label, engineering payroll or AI product does not by itself establish an eligible credit or amount.Which records should we prepare?
Prepare project descriptions, technical uncertainty and testing records, payroll and contractor cost detail, relevant contracts and the reconciled ledger. Tie costs to the periods and activities under review; a total engineering-spend figure is not a complete claim file.Is the credit claim included in monthly bookkeeping?
R&D claim work is a separately published specialty add-on. Bookkeeping can provide supporting cost records, but qualification, calculations, filing and any amended return or notice response must have an agreed scope.Can a pre-revenue company receive a payroll tax benefit?
Eligibility and use depend on the applicable qualified-small-business rules and the company's facts. The licensed professional confirms the election and required filings. Do not treat pre-revenue status as automatic eligibility.Read the IRS payroll tax credit guidance