IRS Announces Moratorium on Processing of Employee Retention Credit (ERC) —
IRS Announces ERC Moratorium —

Take Advantage of the R&D Tax Credit

1st Capital Financial’s Research and Development (R&D) Credit Filing Service allows businesses to offset their tax liability for day to day activities. Submit a R&D credit application online to find out if you’re eligible.

No Upfront Cost or Commitment ¹

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Claim the R&D Tax Credit, with None of the Headache

We’ll take care of the heavy lifting to assure your business maximizes its federal and state tax incentive while sparing you time and frustration.

Full R&D Credit Service Coverage

We tackle the full R&D credit process for you, including identifying qualified research expenditures, preparing the necessary paperwork, and filing your claim.

Reliable IRS R&D Credit Compliance

Our meticulous approach of conducting interviews, gathering expense-related data, and substantiating our findings assures your claim is compliant.

Year-Round R&D Credit Support

We work with you year-round to maximize your R&D tax credit, identify procedural improvements, and recommend additional tax incentives you qualify for.

R&D Tax Credit Basics

What is the R&D Tax Credit?

The Research and Development (R&D) Credit rewards businesses for developing or improving their products, services, and processes. It amounts to a dollar-for-dollar reduction of their tax liability based on qualified expenses — including supplies, equipment, wages, and third-party services.

At A Glance

Recover 5-15% of Qualified R&D Expenses
as a Startup, Small to Medium Business, or Enterprise
Federal and State Tax Credit Incentive
Currently Recognized by Thirty-Eight (38) States
May Be Applied Retroactively or Carried Forward
3-4 Years Retroactively or Up to Twenty (20) Years Forward

R&D tax credits are available to any businesses that incur Qualified Research Expenditures (QREs) while operating in the US. The IRS has defined a four-part test to help businesses determine whether they are eligible, and state R&D credit programs generally follow the IRS’s guidance.  

At A Glance

Attempts to Eliminate Uncertainty Are Made
Aesthetic improvements would not qualify.
Processes of Experimentation Exist
Such as Modeling, Simulation, or Systematic Trial and Error
Activities Are Technical in Nature
Such as Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, or Physics
Purposes of Activities Qualify

R&D Tax Credit Eligibility

Who Is Eligible for the R&D Tax Credit?

R&D Tax Credit Filing Process

How Claiming the R&D Tax Credit Works

Initiate Discovery Process

Initiate Discovery Process

We conduct a full analysis of your business’s operations to identify research projects that can be claimed toward the R&D tax credit.

Interview and Substantiate

Interview and Substantiate

We interview personnel and work with your CPA and accounting staff to gather expense-related data and documentation.

Review and File Claim

Review and File Claim

We complete our calculations and substantiations, finalize an executive report, and work with your team to assure your claim is filed smoothly.

Maximize Benefit Each Year

Maximize Benefit Each Year

We partner with our clients to identify other tax incentives and share procedural recommendations to help maximize their benefit each year.

ERC Calculator Tooltip

Qualified Research Expenditures (QREs) = Total R&D Spending on Activities that: 

  1. Attempted to Eliminate an Uncertainty,
  2. Followed a Process of Experimentation,
  3. Were Technical in Nature, and
  4. Helped Develop or Improve Your Business's Products, Services, or Processes

Still have questions? Give us a call: +1 (833) 317-8227.

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This calculation tool estimates the value of your R&D credit based on the information you provide. The final valuation may be higher or lower following discovery, interviews, and substantiation.

R&D Tax Credit Calculator

Discover Your Potential R&D Tax Credit Value

R&D Tax Credit FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions, Answered

Yes, there are currently 38 states that recognize the R&D tax credit. These states typically follow the IRS’s guidelines on qualified research expenditures (QREs) — with some exceptions. Fortunately, state R&D tax credits may be combined with federal R&D tax credits. When you work with us, we consider state and federal tax incentives during initial discovery.

There is no cap on the amount your business can claim in R&D tax credits. Since R&D tax credits are determined by the size and scale of your business’s technical activities — the more you spend, the more you save. Most businesses recover about 10% of their qualified R&D tax credit expenditures.

Examples of technical activities that qualify for the R&D tax credit include:

  • Developing Consumer Products
  • Developing Software or Mobile Applications
  • Developing New Processes or Techniques to Manufacture Products
  • Improve the Performance, Functionality, Quality, or Reliability of Existing Products
  • Designing Prototypes
  • Testing Competitors’ Products
  • Conducting Research that Speeds Up Your Time-to-Market
  • Implementing New Process Automations
  • Implementing Process Improvements that Reduce Waste or Improve Efficiency
  • Developing Formula Improvements for Food, Beverage, or Chemical Applications
  • Creating Patentable Products or Processes

Examples of expenditures that qualify for the R&D tax credit include:

  • Employee Wages
  • Consultants’ Fees
  • Material Costs
  • Cloud Storage Subscriptions for Testing Environments

Note that expenditures must be related to research projects conducted in the US. Expenditures made in foreign countries do not qualify.

The R&D tax credit is generally used to offset federal income taxes. If the credit is not fully utilized the year it is generated, businesses may carry it back one year for a tax refund. If excess credit is still available, businesses may carry it forward up to 20 years. Startups that are not yet profitable may apply the credit toward federal payroll taxes to offset up to $500,000 each year for up to five years (a total of $2.5 million).

Having trouble finding the answer to a question? Give us a call at +1 (833) 317-8227.

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There is no upfront cost or commitment to get started. Introductory calls are an opportunity for clients to have their questions answered by a 1st Capital Financial team member or affiliate.

We're Ready When You Are

Submit an R&D credit application online today to start the conversation.

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