Per the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, R&D tax credit claims must now be amortized over five years for domestic claims and fifteen years for international claims. If you aren’t already familiar with this important update and aware of how it could impact your startup, see our tax credit update from earlier this year.
More recently, in September 2023, the IRS released interim guidance to clarify the treatment of specified research and experimental expenditures (SRE) under Section 174 which must be capitalized and amortized per the 2017 TCJA.
Interim guidance has been provided related to:
- Enhanced Definitions of Expense Categories Compared to 2022 – Previously, lack of guidance led to the need to piece together information from various IRS sources across different years in order to estimate Sec 174 expenses. The latest guidance offers a more refined breakdown of expenditure categories.
- Categories of Expenditures – The guidance expands from the broad definition of expenditures incurred in the development or improvement of the product, to specifically name categories. These include employee overhead, patent expenses, software expenses, travel, and cost recovery allowances related to property used in the performance of research and development activities.
- Clarity on Contract Research – The updated guidance provides valuable insights into research and experimental expenses paid for under contract. This clarity helps in properly classifying diverse expenses under Section 174, such as payments toward subsidiaries engaged in R&D and activities funded through grants.
- Recognition of Foreign Activities – IRS reaffirms the need to recognize international R&D activities under Section 174, including payment to employees living abroad and transfers to international subsidiaries made for the purpose of performing R&D work.
Learn more about the R&D tax credit and see how much money your startup could be eligible to save:
- Does My Startup Qualify for the R&D Tax Credit?
If your startup qualifies for the R&D tax credit, you could be able to deduct up to $250,000/year in R&D expenses from your payroll tax or income tax. - Our New TechCrunch Article on R&D Tax Credit Resources for Startups
What US startup founders need to know about the R&D tax credit. - An Important R&D Tax Credit Update Impacting Startups in 2023
As of January 1, 2022, domestic R&D claims must be amortized over a five-year period, or a 15-year period for international R&D claims. - R&D Tax Credit Calculator
See much your startup could save with the R&D Tax Credit.
Burkland’s startup tax experts can help you with all facets of the new R&D tax credit legislation including calculating your newly required book-to-tax Section 174 adjustment, evaluating your R&D Credit eligibility, calculating your R&D credits and providing you with an R&D Credit Study. Contact us to request more information.