R&D tax credits reward companies with employees performing innovative research tasks.

Many business owners are still learning about the federal Research and Development tax program and its generous rewards for corporate taxpayers. One important aspect of the R&D Tax Credit is the ability for it to integrate payroll taxes in calculating your yearly credit. For many businesses and startups, this is especially valuable. 

Investing in Employees Could Result in Even More Tax Credits

A Los Angeles based architecture firm hired us to examine and audit their 2019 tax season to verify if their business qualified for additional R&D tax credits. After their free initial assessment, we closely reviewed the activities performed by the company staff for Qualified Research Expenditures (QRE), past projects and payroll hours. 

Our tax experts know that employee wages can greatly affect the overall improvement of a company’s tax situation. Our staff received the client’s submission of employee hours, and noted a blind spot in how the company reported employee time. Our staff predicted we could increase the firm’s R&D tax credit by reexamining the employees’ activities. 

We took a second look at specific tasks that the employees were doing that the client had disregarded as insignificant. Our complete review made a big difference in how employee tasks were categorized, and the client saw a $42,000 overall increase in their qualified employee wages.

Schedule Your Free Assessment

At National Tax Group, we can examine your employee tasks and record them to comply with the detailed R&D tax credit guidelines. We have over 20 years of expertise in the field with real-world results. Call our national tax experts at (561) 257-3436 to schedule your free initial assessment.

This government-sponsored program benefits Ohioans who are blazing the trail in innovation.

What is the Research & Development Tax Credit?

The R&D tax credit was established in the 1980’s as part of a list of sweeping moves to stimulate the economy. Ohio businesses in the industries can leverage R&D to gain credit back on their taxes, with the idea that they will then reinvest in new jobs and growth to support the American economy. 

The Ohio R&D tax credit equals 7% of Ohio qualified R&D expenses in excess of the average tax liability of the three prior taxable years. There is no special application or approval process for this tax credit; the credit may simply be claimed on a tax return. Any unused portion of the tax credit that businesses do not use may be carried forward for as many as seven years.

Who Can Claim It?

Any business currently performing Qualified Research Activities (QRA) in the state of Ohio is qualified. All C-corporations, S-corporations, LLCs and partnerships can all claim R&D on their tax returns. However, while this process is accessible and sounds simple, it can also be quite intricate. Therefore, we recommend the process for itemizing and reporting R&D activities be done with a team of tax experts.

Request Your Free Assessment

At National Tax Group, we will not only fill out your tax forms, but we will also provide a comprehensive report of your company activities and equip you with IRS audit-proof documentation. Call our tax experts today at (561) 257-3436 to see if your startup qualifies for a lucrative R&D tax credit. Your initial assessment is always free. 

Reap significant tax-savings through government-sponsored credits and refunds

Many companies of all sizes are not claiming the incentives they’re qualified for simply because they don’t know they are available. Our goal is to help as many businesses as possible become aware of the tax benefits that they qualify for, so that they can reinvest back in the business. Browse our tax specialties to find out how you can minimize your tax liability and maximize your profits.

Research and Development Credits Reward Your Innovation Efforts

If your company develops, designs, or improves a product, process, or software, there is a good chance you qualify for federal and state R&D tax credit in your area. To officially qualify, you must first pass the IRS’s R&D 4-Part Test. The test evaluates the research initiatives at your company and breaks it down into 4 categories: Nature, Purpose, Process, and Uncertainty.

Once we determine that your research and development activities qualify for R&D Tax credits, our national tax experts will record all qualifying research expenses and submit the audit-proof claim to the IRS.

Cost Segregation Studies for Your Commercial Properties

Most commercial buildings and facilities that were constructed, remodeled, or purchased after 1987 can benefit significantly from a cost segregation study. The first step in the process is to have an experienced cost segregation engineer conduct a thorough study of the property. The advisor will analyze each building component and record all relevant information such as cost data, building plans, and lease agreements.

The goal of the study is to increase your cash flow by accelerating depreciation deductions and deferring federal and state income taxes. Cost segregation is a complex and lengthy project for any business or property owner, so it is recommended that you hire a team of national tax experts with an engineer on staff to complete the process from start to finish.

45L Credit Rewards Energy Efficient Dwellings

Building owners, designers and contractors who have installed energy-saving elements to newly constructed multi-family projects can obtain this extremely rewarding tax credit of $2,000 per dwelling unit. This is a valuable bonus for property owners that achieve a lower carbon footprint. Energy efficiency is also a feature that potential tenants highly value when looking for a home.

Qualified applicants must file for 45L in the same tax year in which the featured properties were completed and leased. In addition, taxpayers can only go back three tax years to claim the lucrative credit, so it’s important to complete the process in a timely manner.

Leverage Your Energy Efficiency with 179D

New buildings or completed renovations that were performed in an effort to reduce energy may be rewarded with this significant tax provision. Taxpayers can earn up to $1.80 per square foot on each qualifying property, $.60 on each energy saving system. Total energy consumption must be reduced by 50% in order to qualify for 179D. Once the project is complete, a qualified professional must also certify it as energy-efficient. Once this process is complete, a detailed report is modeled, analyzed and transferred to a digital version in compliance with the IRS’s requirements.

Take the Next Step in Savings

Our team is composed of tax experts and engineers with over 20 years of experience in specialty tax areas. Contact National Tax Group at (561) 257-3436 for a free assessment and start the process of earning your lucrative tax savings.

Cash in on Maryland’s lucrative government-sponsored research credit – R&D incentivizes businesses to pursue innovation.

The Research and Development tax is a permanent federal program, and many states, including Maryland, have adopted their own statewide incentives, using the nation’s program as a model. Enacted on July 1, 2017, Senate Bill 200 (“S.B. 200”) makes way for even more Maryland businesses to benefit from the lucrative tax credits awarded to companies by the state’s Department of Commerce.

What are the benefits of Maryland’s R&D tax credits?

In Maryland, the total amount of credits any business receives depends on the amount of eligible expenses incurred with a limit of $12 million for all businesses that apply.​ The Basic R&D tax credit provides businesses with 3% of eligible R&D expenses less than or equal to Maryland’s base amount. If the total credits applied for exceeds $4.5 million, the business’s Basic tax credit is prorated. 

Maryland’s Growth R&D tax credit offers companies 10% of eligible R&D expenditures over Maryland’s base amount. If the total credits applied for are over $4.5 million, the business’s Growth R&D tax credit is prorated.

Small businesses are especially rewarded through R&D in the state of Maryland. A small business is defined as a for-profit corporation, LLC, partnership or sole proprietorship whose net profits are less than $5 million for the tax year. This credit is refundable for cash, in an effort to further drive business growth and innovation from smaller companies.

What is the first step to applying?

According to the Maryland state website, applications for the state of Maryland R&D tax credits must be received no later than September 15th of the calendar year following the tax year in which the expenses were incurred. Maryland Commerce will issue a tax credit certificate with the approved credit amount by February 15th. If a business has already filed their taxes for the current tax year, they can apply to amend their taxes for that tax year, as well as the previous seven tax years.

Qualifying expenditures include wage, contractor, and supply expenses related to a taxpayer’s attempts in Maryland to develop or improve the functionality or performance of its products, manufacturing processes, software, or other components.

Maryland states that the first step to determining the business’s R&D tax credits are to collect the gross receipts for the tax year for which you are claiming credits, as well as the preceding four years. Keep in mind that the R&D credits are limited to activities performed within the state only. This process are best tackled with a team of national tax experts who can guide business owners through these steps one by one.

If you think your business qualifies for any Research and Development tax savings, call National Tax Group at (561) 257-3436 to start your free analysis. 

Feel even better about reducing your carbon footprint when you take advantage of the significant tax savings found under 179D and 45L.

In addition to being environmentally friendly, energy-saving properties more often attract modern residents for their “green” stamp, and better retain their value over time. There are two specialty tax benefits that reward eligible building contractors, potentially saving them tens of thousands in tax liabilities. 179D is a tax deduction for commercial building owners and primary designers. 45L is a credit for energy-saving properties that stand at three stories or less.

179D: A Deduction Rewarding Energy Efficiency

Your building does not have to be brand new in order to benefit from this tax perk. Both newly constructed and renovated buildings that have installed energy-saving elements qualify under this tax provision. Ideal candidates for the 179D deduction are commercial building owners, architects, design firms, and groups that have government building contracts.

Even if you have just upgraded one element throughout your properties such as lighting, you may still qualify for a portion of the $1.80 per square foot deduction. Moreover, this tax policy was extended through the end of 2020, which opens an opportunity for businesses to retroactively claim 179D for the 2018 & 2019 tax years.

45L: A Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Homes

Eligible building owners, contractors and developers that reduce energy use by at least 50% can claim the 45L tax credit, which awards applicants with $2,000 in tax credits for each dwelling unit. New energy-efficient systems and installations built or significantly reconstructed from August 5, 2005 to December 31, 2020 are applicable. The credit can be especially valuable for owners of apartment or condominium buildings because each unit is eligible for its own credit.

Furthermore, the 45L tax credit can be retroactively claimed for residential and apartment buildings in the last three years, and any unused credit can be claimed for up to 20 years in the future. Ideal candidates are residential building developers with multiple properties, but any developer, builder, or homeowner may qualify.

What is the first step to claiming my deductions?

A site visit by an independent, qualified party is required to verify the installation of the property’s energy-efficient elements. Certifications must be obtained to verify that the home meets specific government-issued requirements. To get started on your claims, work with a trust tax team who can walk you through every step of the process. To find out if your properties pre-qualify, contact National Tax Group at (561) 257-3436 to claim your free tax analysis report.

 

Our straightforward 3-step process ensures audit-proof tax credit assessment and preparation that puts money in your pocket.

Innovation and development happen in many industries across the board and all over the country. The Research and Development tax credit was created to reward these businesses’ activities and encourage innovative practices at American companies. Less than ⅓ of qualified companies claim this lucrative credit and you would be surprised just how many small businesses can qualify.

Step 1: A Free Initial Assessment

National Tax Group provides free initial assessments to any business owner wanting to determine whether or not their activities are characterized as “Qualified Research Activities.” One of our tax experts will ask you detailed questions about your business, employees, tax history, and any other relevant information that could qualify you. To be deemed as a Qualified Research Activity, they must first pass the 4-Part Test, created by the IRS.

The IRS established criteria consists of:

• Purpose: The research is done to improve the quality, function, or reliability of a process or product.
• Process: The research activities must involve stimulation, logical trial and error, assessing alternatives, and refining hypotheses.
• Uncertainty: The qualified activities must identify information to remove ambiguity in the development or improvement of a production process.
• Nature: The research done relies solely on physical sciences, biological sciences, computer sciences, or engineering.

Step 2: Technical Evaluation of Your Qualified Research Activities

Our knowledgeable staff will request employee wages, industry and business information and past years of tax returns to get started determining whether or not your business can claim R&D tax credits. Our tax technicians have the knowledge to identify the business items and worker salaries that are specific to the Research and Development credit. Furthermore, they can look at the activities outside of the office, such as offsite contract research, that can also be added to your file. 

Step 3: Formulation of Your State and Federal R&D Credits

After a thorough calculation, National Tax Group will prepare and organize all research activities performed that qualify you for the R&D credit. Our team of tax-saving experts will create and provide the needed documentation to ensure your tax credit. In the case of an audit, our work meets IRS standards and will ensure a smooth process. 

 

Call National Tax Group at (561) 257-3436 to see if your business qualifies for this potential cash flow opportunity. We will walk you through every step needed to claim your credit now. 

  

The government’s new stimulus package includes significant opportunities for businesses to access cash, but only if you know about them.

In March of this year, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed the House of Representatives in an effort to stimulate the economy in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Trump then signed the bill into law, sighting significant benefits for COVID-impacted business owners. Company owners should speak to a tax expert and assess how this new law could set up their business’ finances for the coming year and beyond.

NOL modifications mean tax credit wins for American businesses

The provision of the CARES Act where businesses can access sizable dollar amounts is called Modifications for Net Operating Losses. Normally, businesses operating at a net operating loss (NOL) can report this loss for 3 previous tax years (2017, 2018 or 2019.) However, the CARES Act now makes it legal for businesses to carryback NOL’s to five years.

The inclusion of two more tax years can potentially generate a lucrative tax recovery for businesses, because tax rates before 2018 were considerably higher than their current rates. This can translate into a sizable cashflow that businesses can use to invest in their operations and into the economy at large.

How tax experts can help you apply for CARES Act benefits:

• Summarizing your company’s investments and expenses
• Cataloging your company wages
• Leveraging your activities for minimum tax liability
• Ensuring compliance with all applicable tax laws and regulations
• Filling out and filing the appropriate tax forms
• Preparing your tax returns and related documentation for a possible audit

Working with a national tax expert experienced in business tax can mean thousands of dollars for your company. Finding the right tax company who fits your needs is easy. Contact National Tax Group at (561) 257-3436 to claim your free tax analysis report.

The IRS’s Tax Day extension provides Idaho business owners with the opportunity to assess their financial assets and examine any advantageous tax credits they may have overlooked.

Though the Research and Development tax credit is a federal program that rewards businesses investing in innovative efforts across the country, there are also efforts on the states’ behalf to incentivize these efforts as well. On the federal level, taxpayers can benefit from a dollar-for-dollar reduction on tax owings, as well as an offset to payroll taxes for some qualified businesses. 

Idaho has its own state laws in regard to the state Research and Development tax credit. Businesses that conduct qualified research in Idaho may be eligible for a 5% income tax credit that can be carried forward for up to 14 years. 

Though this lucrative business tax credit appears to be limited to the science and technology industries, many businesses, from electronics manufacturing to food processing, may be able to take advantage of the R&D tax credit and see a benefit to their bottom line.

What Industries Qualify for R&D in Idaho?

In the present day, technology has become an essential part of the workflow across many industries, and companies can leverage this use to qualify for the Research and Development tax credit. Craft breweries or wineries who are using mobile apps to elevate their communication may be eligible. An ammunition company that uses fingerprint technology to increase handgun safety at home may be able to claim it. Even companies in the investments and accounting industries, who have to keep up to date on cybersecurity software, can apply for this immediate source of cash flow.

What is the R&D four-part test?

Companies that apply for the Idaho Research and Development tax credit must prove that their activities meet the following criteria:

1. Technological in Nature: Activities must rely on hard scientific evidence to be performed and proven.
2. Permitted Purpose: Activities must be performed with the purpose of improving a business component or making it more efficient.
3. Eliminate Uncertainty: Activities are seeking concrete answers about the development or improvement of a product.
4. Experimentation: Activities must include prototypes, modeling, sampling, trial and error, or other scientific methods of experimentation.

Our team of tax experts will give you a free assessment to see if you qualify for Research and Development credits, as well as its payroll tax provision. We are here to help you earn your maximum tax benefit. Call us at (561) 257-3436 to speak with one of our qualified staff members.

Apply for the federal 179D tax credit and earn immediate cash flow.

The 179D tax incentive rewards taxpayers for reducing their carbon footprint for all commercial properties owned. This includes new construction, as well as improvements to the building that provide an overall reduction in energy and power costs. The deduction was originally enacted on January 1, 2006, and is currently available for all qualified parties for the 2019 tax year.

Commercial property owners are the biggest group of applicants, but there are other qualified parties that can take advantage of the 179D tax deduction including building designers and architects.

What are the benefits of the 179D deduction?

For buildings that reduce the energy consumption by at least 50%, a deduction can be rewarded to the taxpayers at the following rates:

• Up to $1.80 per square foot for commercial buildings that reduce HVAC, envelope and lighting costs.
• $0.60/sf savings on heating, cooling, ventilation and hot water; $0.60/sf savings on lighting, either in the building or as part of the parking garage; and
• $0.60/sf savings on building envelope systems, such as windows, doors, roofs and insulation.

What is the first step to claiming the 179D deduction?

179D is an engineering-based tax incentive, and therefore the process requires working closely with national tax experts that can walk you through each step of the way. A specialty tax engineer will create a detailed analysis using Department of Energy approved software. From there, your tax specialists will determine your eligibility and create a thorough report of your energy and financial benefits.

National Tax Group tax experts are well versed in the 179D tax deduction, and can provide you with the guidance you need to ensure your maximum tax benefit. Call us at (561) 257-3436 to schedule your free analysis.

Both the U.S. Treasury and the Indiana Department of Revenue give millions of dollars to qualifying businesses practicing research and development activities. Is your company cashing in?

While more and more companies are becoming familiar with the lucrative federal R&D tax credit program, many businesses are still unaware that many states also govern their own R&D programs, saving them an additional amount on their corporate taxes.

Indiana has been one of the most research and development-friendly states, with its own incentives. This is great news for Indiana state businesses who are dedicating resources to innovation.

The current version of the Indiana state R&D tax credit works as follows:

• It allows a 15% credit on R&D investments increase over the base amount of $1 million. For example, a company that invests $100,000 in 2018 and $200,000 in 2019, they could receive a $15,000 credit on the $100,000 difference.
• In cases where the difference in these two numbers is over the $1 million mark, companies can still apply for the R&D tax credit, but at a rate of 10 percent versus 15 percent.
• If there are no previous research and development investments the previous year, the amount of the R&D tax credit the business can receive is five percent of the research investment expenses.

Once a business’s activities are deemed as qualifying, expenses can equal significant tax savings for the company. Additionally, employee wages and research expenses to an accredited entity such as a university can be sources of research and development tax credits. Indiana also allows a 10-year carryforward period for any unused R&D tax credits.

Through the federal R&D program, established companies can receive a dollar for dollar return of 10-15 percent of their research and development investments. Startup companies or small businesses that aren’t yet revenue-generating can also benefit from R&D by taking advantage of its payroll tax provision.

However companies qualify, all businesses must claim R&D tax credits in a manner that will withstand audit by the Indiana Department of Revenue as well as the IRS. At National Tax Group, we can itemize and capture credits for your company in time for the extended 2019 tax season. Call our business tax experts at (561) 257-3436 to schedule your free initial assessment and determine your eligibility.