Technological in Nature
Activities must rely on principles of physical or biological sciences, engineering, or computer science.
R&D Tax Credits
Unlock hidden capital in your business.
The IRS allows businesses to claim credits for qualified research tied to software, product development, engineering, and process improvement.
Many companies qualify without realizing it. No patent is required, and qualifying work can often be activity-based.
$150K - $500K+
Average annual benefit per qualifying business
20%Potential credit on qualifying R&D spend
3 YearsAmended return lookback may be available
What R&D Credits Offer
Credits for innovation that may already be happening inside your company.
Businesses may be able to claim credits for qualified research expenses connected to developing or improving products, processes, software, techniques, formulas, or inventions.
Startups may also be able to use the credit as a payroll tax offset, up to $500K per year, depending on eligibility.
Potential advantages:
- Claim up to 20% of qualifying R&D spend
- Payroll tax offset for startups may be available
- 3-year amended return lookback
- No patent required
- No upfront cost and contingency-based review model available
R&D lookback advantage.
Your business may be able to amend up to three prior tax years to recover credits already earned but never claimed.
BizLink Solutions connects qualifying businesses with specialists who review activity, documentation, and credit potential before moving forward.
See If My Business Qualifies
What counts as qualified research?
The IRS uses a four-part test to evaluate qualified research activities.
Permitted Purpose
The research must aim to create new or improved business components such as products, processes, software, techniques, formulas, or inventions.
Elimination of Uncertainty
Research must address technical uncertainty about capability, methodology, or design, not just market or commercial uncertainty.
Process of Experimentation
Activities must involve evaluating alternatives through modeling, simulation, systematic trial and error, or other methods.
Industries frequently qualifying.
R&D credit opportunities can show up in more industries than many business owners expect.
Manufacturing
Product development, tooling, process improvements, and production methods.
Software & Tech
Software development, platforms, integrations, automation, and technical problem solving.
Engineering
Design analysis, prototypes, technical evaluations, and applied engineering work.
Construction
Methods, systems, design-build improvements, and project-specific technical solutions.
Life Sciences
Research, testing, formulation, and technical development activity.
Architecture
Design innovation, modeling, technical problem solving, and project improvements.
Food & Beverage
Formulation, production methods, packaging, and process improvements.
Aerospace
Component design, engineering, testing, and technical development projects.
From Discovery to Recovery
A specialist-led process to identify, document, and claim credits.
The review process is designed to evaluate qualifying activities, gather support, calculate potential credits, and prepare documentation for filing.
Process overview:
- Free discovery call to evaluate activities and rough credit potential.
- Document collection, including payroll records, project documentation, time tracking, contracts, and technical documentation.
- Expert study and analysis against the IRS four-part test.
- Credit calculation for qualified research expenditures and applicable credits.
- Filing and recovery through amended returns or current-year claim support.
Common questions.
My CPA already said we do not qualify. Should we still review?
Possibly. Many businesses qualify through activity-based work that is easy to overlook without a specialized R&D credit study.
We have never claimed R&D before. Can we go back?
A three-year amended return lookback may be available, depending on your tax situation and eligibility.
What if the IRS audits the claim?
Specialists prepare supporting documentation and can help support the claim if questions arise.
How much does this cost upfront?
The document describes a no-upfront-cost, contingency-based model as available.
Is it worth the hassle?
The review is designed to estimate qualifying activity and potential value before you commit to the full process.
How long until credits show up?
Timing depends on whether the claim is current-year or amended, the filing method, and IRS processing.
Ready to find out what your business may qualify for?
Start with a review of your activities, documentation, and potential credit opportunity.