Tag Archives: R&d Tax Credit

11Oct 2010

SourceCorp Supports New York State R&D Tax Credit

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Deb Crumley, Director of R&D Tax Credit Consulting

Deb Crumley, Director of R&D Tax Credit Consulting

SourceCorp recently worked with a $6 million New York manufacturer to identify, document, calculate and claim the New York State Research & Development Tax Credit formally called the QETC. The company was able to go back and claim the credit for four years and claimed total credits of $328,474.

Subsequently, the owner was notified that state examiners intended to review the claim. SourceCorp met with the examiners and explained the client’s activities and expenses and their validity with regard to claiming the R&D credit. SourceCorp succeeded in sustaining 100% of the  credit for the company.

The QETC is a refundable credit, so this New York manufacturer was able infuse $328,474 into their business by evaluating what was already spent as part of the company’s initiative to stay competitive through research and development spending.

07Sep 2010

R&D Tax Credit Potentially Made Permanent

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Regarding this article from Bloomberg: Obama May Seek Permanent R&D Tax Credit

Deb Crumley, Director of R&D Tax Credit Consulting

Deb Crumley, Director of R&D Tax Credit Consulting

Given its bipartisan support and the history of R&D tax credit’s extension, arguing that the budget deficit will be increased by making it permanent is misleading.  This article’s author uses the term “longest-running budget gimmicks in town” which couldn’t be more appropriate.  It will have the same budgetary impact if made permanent as it would if Congress keeps approving the temporary extensions.

More importantly would be the effect on businesses if they were certain of the credit’s future.  By understanding and being able to rely on this incentive, behavior related to R&D spending will be positively impacted.  For many companies, compiling the information to compute the R&D tax credit each year is cumbersome and an area that needs process improvement.  However, this is never a priority since the future of the credit is always in question.  With permanency, companies will be incentivized to increase R&D spending and make the internal process changes necessary to create more accuracy within their computations.

While there will be a budget impact to increasing the credit percentage for the Alternative Simplified Credit, it is necessary to keep the U.S. from lagging even further behind in international comparisons of R&D incentives.  Hopefully President Obama is successful,  and the credit is made permanent and more internationally competitive.

17Aug 2010

Taxpayer Wins Court Case for Research and Development Tax Credit

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This recent court case favored the company claiming the R&D tax credit.

http://www.cbiz.com/page.asp?pid=8761

12Aug 2010

R&D Tax Credits Create Jobs and Revenue — Some state Credits More Lucrative Than Federal Credit

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Laura Kushner, Director of Marketing

Laura Kushner, Director of Marketing

The United States was one of the first countries to enact a federal tax credit for R&D in 1981, and throughout that decade we had the most generous R&D incentive in the world. However, other countries soon realized the benefit of the R&D credit and adopted not only similar but often more lucrative credits.

By 1996, the U.S. ranked only 7th in R&D tax generosity out of the countries that had an R&D credit, and by 2004 we had slipped to 17th place. The key reason — every other country with an R&D tax credit has increased the generosity of those credits. Not only has the U.S. not increased the credit, but to date Congress has not yet extended the credit for 2010. The result – by 2009 the U.S. ranked dead last — leaving the number one position to France.

However, if Congress were to enhance the R&D tax credit and make it permanent as other countries have done instead of simply extending it each year, the result would be an immediate and positive impact on U.S. innovation and job creation.

For example, a study by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation think tank suggests that raising the Alternative Simplified (ASC) R&D tax credit rate from 14 to 20 percent would create 162,000 jobs in the short-term and an unspecified number of additional jobs in the longer-term. ITIF also estimates that raising the ASC would increase the annual GDP by $90 billion, the number of patents issued by 3,850 and federal tax revenues by $17 billion.

Raising the ASC to 20 percent would bump the U.S. R&D tax generosity rank to number 10. However, we would need to increase the ASC to 31 percent to move to 5th place and to a whopping 47 percent in order to reclaim the number one spot with the most generous R&D credit of the 21 countries that currently offer one.

Fortunately for American businesses, all but about 12 states offer a state R&D credit. Some of these state credits are more lucrative than the federal credit, and some are even fully refundable.

For example, New York has a refundable credit, specifically for companies with revenues under $10 million, that averages between 9-18%. Starting in tax year 2010, the Minnesota state credit will be expanded and made refundable. Louisiana has one of the most lucrative credits of all the states. Depending on the size of the company, the credit can be from 8 to 40 percent, and it is also refundable.

Companies located in states that offer a state R&D credit can realize significant dollars in tax credits, especially when combined with the federal credit. These dollars can be reinvested to fund additional R&D which, in turn, will boost both innovation and job creation in the U.S.

10Aug 2010

Senate Republicans want early September mark-up of tax bill to deal with expiring tax provisions

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Good news. Congress may now be turning their attention to the expiring tax provisions, including the R&D tax credit. While the R&D credit has support from both sides of the aisle, it has been deferred as more hot items, such as state education funding, make their way through Congress.

The entire Republican contingent on the Senate Finance Committee has called on Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the panel, to schedule an early September mark-up of legislation dealing with expiring tax provisions. (August 6 letter to Sen. Baucus regarding markup request) The letter noted that during a July 22 committee meeting Baucus agreed “to process a tax bill in committee” that would cover the expiration of individual tax rates, expired provisions such as the R&D tax credit, a compromise regarding the estate tax, and energy taxes. “In exchange, we agreed to limit our amendments to those particular topics and to refrain from offering amendments that would introduce extraneous matters like corporate tax reform,” the letter said. “It would be a mistake for the Senate to consider such an important piece of tax legislation without its having first been marked up” by the committee, the GOP members wrote. A link to the letter can be found at http://finance.senate.gov/newsroom/ranking/release/?id=a646558c-2302-440b-ad73-9480f7eb2d58.

29Jul 2010

Maryland Extends State R&D Tax Credit

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In addition to being able to claim the federal research and development tax credit, companies conducting R&D activities in the state of Maryland may be eligible for a state credit as well. Maryland offers a nonrefundable R&D credit for certain qualified activities and expenses consistent with the federal credit.

Businesses must submit an application for the credit to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development by September 15 of the year following the tax year in which the expenses were incurred. The state will certify the amount of credit available to the business by December 15, and companies are then notified as to how much of the credit claimed will be paid.

Total credits for all businesses may not exceed $6 million per year. Historically the amount of credits applied for exceeds the $6 million maximum, and companies are ultimately granted only a percentage of the total credits for which they apply.

There are two credits available; the basic credit and the growth credit. The basic credit is 3 percent on all qualified research expenses up to a base amount.  Spending beyond the base amount entitles a business to the growth credit which is 10 percent. The credit is taken against corporate or personal income tax, and any unused credit may be carried forward for seven years.

As of July 1, 2010, the Maryland state R&D tax credit was extended from 2011 to 2020.

26Jul 2010

Louisiana State R&D Credit is Now Refundable

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Stephanie Woods, Director of Business Development for R&D

Stephanie Woods, Director of Business Development for R&D

Beginning with the 2009 tax year, the Louisiana Research & Development tax credit is refundable and is one of the most lucrative of any states. Companies that have Louisiana-based qualified research expenses are eligible for the R&D tax credit.

Qualified research expenses include:

  • Wages for employees who:
    • Engage in research
    • Directly supervise research
    • Directly support research
  • Supplies used to conduct research and development
  • Contract research expenses – 65 percent of any expense paid or incurred to persons other than an employee of the company

Companies that employ up to 50 Louisiana residents may be eligible for a 40 percent state R&D tax credit on their qualified research expenses.

Companies that employ 50-99 employees can claim a 20 percent state credit for increasing their research activities. For companies with 100 or more employees an 8 percent credit applies.

Louisiana also offers alternative methods to calculating the credit for increased research activities. Companies that perform work under the SBIR program may also qualify for the credit.

Credits claimed prior to 2009 that cannot be utilized may be carried forward, transferred or sold.

Prior to claiming an R&D tax credit, a company must apply for and obtain a credit certification from the Department of Economic Development. Understanding the application process and evaluating the most appropriate calculation is critical to maximizing the R&D tax credit benefit. An R&D study will expedite and help support the application process. With the September 15 deadline rapidly approaching, now is the time to evaluate whether your company meets the requirements to claim the newly refundable Louisiana state credit for 2009.

For a look at some examples of the Louisiana state R&D tax credit click here.

12Jul 2010

Utah State Credit Provides “Found Money” for Companies Conducting R&D

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In addition to being able to claim the federal research and development tax credit, companies conducting R&D activities in the state of Utah may be eligible for a state credit as well. Utah offers a nonrefundable R&D credit, ranging from 2.5-9 percent, for certain qualified activities and expenses. Qualifying activities follow the same definition as the federal credit and include:

• Creating new or improved products, processes, formulas, software, techniques
• Implementing cost reduction initiatives
• Automating or improving manufacturing processes
• Developing prototypes, first articles, models
• Designing tools, jigs, fixtures and molds
• New materials testing
• Testing new concepts

The Utah R&D credit does not expire, but does have a three-year statute of limitations for amending prior returns thereby allowing companies to take advantage of overpaid tax liability in the three prior years and also claiming a current year credit.

The credit may be computed using two alternative methods each with their own advantages, so some tax planning is necessary as you evaluate the credit opportunity. One method is more lucrative in that the credit percentages are higher but excess credits under this method cannot be carried forward. Under the second method, the credit calculated may be less, but any excess credits from one year may carry forward for up to 14 tax years.

In addition, a state credit is available for machinery and equipment that is dedicated to R&D. The credit is 6 percent of the cost of the machinery and equipment and is nonrefundable. If the credit is more than the tax liability, it may be carried forward for the next 14 taxable years as well.

19May 2010

Major changes to the MN R&D Credit

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Last month, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed into law a jobs bill that includes enhancements to the state’s Research and Development tax credit.

The bill expanded Minnesota’s R&D tax credit, making it more attractive for small to large-sized companies that conduct R&D activities in the state.

Major changes to the MN R&D Credit:

1. Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009, partners in a partnership and shareholders in an S corporation may now take the R&D credit. Previously, only C corporations could take the credit.
2. The tax credit increased and now equals 10 percent of the first $2 million of excess qualified research expenses for the taxable year over the base amount. For excess expenses over $2 million, the credit equals 2.5 percent.
3. The credit for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009, is now refundable.

ACTION ITEMS

All pass-through entities should seek to take advantage of the Minnesota R&D in 2010.

In addition, all companies that have had losses for several years, and have never taken the state credit, should take advantage of the credit in 2010 to obtain a refund.

25Jun 2009

TAX UPDATE: New R&D Credit Extension Introduced

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A bipartisan group of Senate Finance Committee members have introduced legislation to streamline and make permanent the signature tax credit for companies’ research expenses that is set to expire December 31.

The bill would merge two existing options, sunsetting the traditional research and development credit after 2010 and permanently boosting the “alternative simplified credit” from 14 percent to 20 percent. The aim is to provide a more robust and flexible credit for newer and start-up firms, particularly in the technology sector. At the same time, it would end the stop-start nature of the existing credit — which has been extended 13 times — providing certainty for companies while letting older, established firms gradually adjust to the alternative credit.

The traditional credit applies to qualified research expenses above a certain amount. The amount depends on whether the company is considered established — with gross receipts and research expenses in three or more tax years from 1984 to 1988 — or a start-up firm, which had fewer than three tax years in that period. But the base amount must exceed 50 percent of a firm’s qualified research expenses in a tax year.

The alternative credit was added to the tax code in 2006, allowing firms to claim a credit for 12 percent of qualified research expenses above 50 percent of its average over the previous three tax years. The credit was boosted to 14 percent for 2009 as part of the financial industry rescue package in the fall. Hatch touted the simplified credit as a “more direct incentive to innovation-oriented companies” in the high-tech sector, such as biotech and software.

A similar bill was introduced earlier this year in the House, with more than half of the House tax-writing panel’s members co-sponsoring the bill.

Earlier this year, a coalition of firms, including Microsoft, Boeing, Dow Chemical and CA wrote in support for the bill. Some companies prefer the traditional credit, however, more and more have migrated to the alternate credit and those that have not made the switch will have time to adjust and benefit from the boost to 20 percent.

Currently companies can choose between the two methods and some firms that benefited from the traditional structure may lose out under the plan. The Senate proposal would allow companies to use the traditional credit for 2009 and 2010. Afterward, it would expire.

The traditional credit is generally based on the increase in research spending at a company in relation to a base period of 1984 through 1988. The alternative simplified credit rewards companies for increasing research spending above a base level determined by spending in the previous taxable years. The new proposal would increase the rate on the alternative credit from 14 percent to 20 percent.

The Obama administration has proposed making the credit permanent, but in its current form rather than merging the components, at an estimated $74.5 billion cost. The White House would pay for the extension through a series of tax changes targeting multinational firms’ overseas profits, which the business community has launched a massive lobbying effort to kill.

If your company is looking for a smart way to increase cash flow, you owe it to yourself to learn more about the R&D Tax Credit.

For a FREE benefit analysis or to have a deeper discussion about increasing your company’s cash flow contact:

SourceCorp Professional Services

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