Are R&D Tax Credits Available in Oregon?

Yes. The Research and Development Tax Credit for Semiconductors was passed by the Oregon State Legislature to recognize and further the contributions of the semiconductor industry to regional and national economies.

  • As a global center for semiconductor research & development, many Oregon companies play a critical role in regaining America’s technological leadership in the production of semiconductors.
  • The Research and Development Tax Credit for Semiconductors is intended to build on Oregon’s strengths by recognizing and furthering the contributions of this industry to the economy.
  • The credit applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and before January 1, 2030.
  • The R&D Tax Credit offers eligible companies roughly 15% in tax credits for qualified research expenses or basic research payments in Oregon.
  • The credit is limited to $4 million per taxpayer, per year.
  • The credit is available through tax year 2029 with a cap on the total credit available each year.
  • The R&D Tax Credit is partially refundable for companies with 3,000 employees or fewer, and non-refundable amounts may be carried forward until 2029.
  • Certification Requirement: Oregon has a certification requirement. Taxpayers must apply annually to the Oregon Business Development Department (Business Oregon) for certification as a qualified semiconductor company.
  • Application Deadline: For the 2024 tax year, applications must be submitted by October 15, 2024. For subsequent years, the deadline is October 15 of each calendar year.

Get More Information About the R&D Tax Credit

The R&D Tax Credit, first enacted in 1981, has been one of the most valuable credits leveraged by companies. Every year, the R&D credit yields billions of dollars in federal and state benefits to companies engaged in qualifying research. This credit provides much needed cash to hire additional employees, increase R&D, expand facilities, and more. Thousands of companies take advantage of the credit across several industries. » Learn More

Four-Part Test

Qualified research activities are defined by the four-part test outlined below

Technological in Nature

Activities must fundamentally rely on the principles of physical or biological science, engineering, or computer science.

Permitted Purpose

Activities must be performed in an attempt to improve the functionality, performance, reliability, or quality of a new or existing business component.

Eliminate Uncertainty

Activities intended to discover information that could eliminate technical uncertainty concerning the development or improvement of a product.

Experimentation

All activities must include a process of experimentation including testing, modeling, simulating, and systematic trial and error.