R&D Tax Credits for the Manufacturing Industry
Refunds are available for companies performing research within the manufacturing Industry. The research credit provides dollar-for-dollar cash savings each year for companies performing activities related to the development of new or improved products and processes. These benefits could provide much needed cash to hire additional employees, increase R&D, expand production facilities, etc.
Many manufacturing companies are unaware that their efforts within designing and developing their products can yield a large amount of research credits. Examples of R&D activities related to the industry as well as potentially qualifying job titles are listed below.
Examples of Qualifying R&D Activities
- Determining tooling requirements and optimal placement of equipment
- Developing new or improved quality assurance testing processes
- Developing processes that meet stringent regulatory requirements
- Developing prototypes using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing processes
- Developing robotics and automated technology
- Experimenting with new or improved filling and packaging techniques
- Improving strength, durability, and service life
- Maximizing feeds/speeds while ensuring quality and integrity of the part
- Improving processes including filling and sealing of products, packaging, die design/techniques, minimizing environmental impact (waste control and recycling), and flexibility and agility due to increased product volume and diversity
Potentially Qualifying R&D Job Titles
- Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Operator
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Technician
- Design Engineer
- Director of Operations
- Machinists
- Manufacturing Engineer Packaging Engineer
- Plant Operator
- Process Engineer
- Production Manager
- Quality Assurance (QA) Manager
- Reliability Engineer
- Test Engineer
AMT Offset
For tax years beginning after December 31, 2015, eligible small businesses (those with $50 million or less of gross receipts) may claim the research credit against AMT liability.
Up to $500,000 in Payroll Tax
Qualified start-up companies may elect to use up to $500,000 of the research credit against payroll taxes. Treasury Regulations have substantially broadened the range of taxpayers who are eligible for the credit. Start-ups to publicly traded businesses who were previously unable to realize a benefit from this lucrative tax credit should reassess their eligibility.
Estimate Your Benefits with our FREE Calculators
Use our calculators for an estimate of state and federal R&D tax credit benefits or to determine if you can offset payroll tax using the R&D tax credit. It's easy to use and free. If at any time you have questions, contact us. We are here to help you realize your maximum tax benefit.
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Research and Development Tax Credit Insights
KBKG Tax Insight: Identifying Expenditures for the New IRC 174 Capitalization Requirements
07/24/2024By Jonathan Tucker | Principal, Research & Development Tax Credits With the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, significant changes were made to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), notably to IRC 174. Starting in the tax year 2022, businesses can no longer fully expense their research and experimental (R&E) costs … Read More
KBKG Tax Insight: IRS Updates Form 6765 to Claim R&D Credit
06/25/2024By Jonathan Tucker | Principal, Research & Development Tax Credits On June 21, 2024, the IRS released an updated draft form 6765 – Credit for Increasing Research Activities, the tax form taxpayers must file with their tax returns to claim the R&D tax credit. This revised draft provides much-needed relief for taxpayers by reducing the … Read More
KBKG Tax Insight: IRS Eases Requirements for R&D Credit Refunds
06/20/2024By Jonathan Tucker | Principal, Research & Development Tax Credits The IRS issued new guidance around amending for R&D tax credit refunds postmarked as of June 18, 2024. This guidance reduces the documentation requirement to be submitted for amending by removing two previously required items. KBKG Insight: With just three documents needed to submit the … Read More
KBKG Tax Insight: Tax Court Denies R&D Credits for Engineering Firm
05/13/2024By Emily Flemmer | Manager, Research & Development Tax Credits In the case of Meyer, Borgman & Johnson, Inc. v. Commissioner No. 23-1523 (8th Cir. May 6, 2024), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit upheld the Tax Court’s decision denying research tax credits to a structural engineering firm because the taxpayer’s research … Read More
Tax Alert: DEA Proposal to Ease Restrictions on Marijuana
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Simple, Swift, Secure: KBKG’s Dash.tax Transforms R&D Credits Up to $50k
04/29/2024PASADENA, Calif. – April 29, 2024 – KBKG, a premier provider of comprehensive specialty tax services and solutions, proudly announces the debut of Dash.tax, its latest R&D tax credit software solution tailored for CPAs and businesses. Designed for swift and precise outcomes, Dash empowers users to effortlessly generate customized Research & Development (R&D) tax credit … Read More
KBKG Tax Insight: April Update, 174 Capitalization Fix & Bonus Depreciation, 2024 Tax Relief Act
04/24/2024KBKG Tax Insight: April Update, 174 Capitalization Fix & Bonus Depreciation, 2024 Tax Relief Act By Emily Flemmer | Manager, Research & Development Tax Credits Frustration mounts among advocates of a bipartisan tax agreement initially approved by the House in January but has since hit a roadblock in the Senate due to Republican resistance. This … Read More
Arizona Introduces New Research & Development Calculation Method for Tax Year 2023
04/22/2024KBKG Tax Alert: Arizona Introduces New Research & Development Calculation Method for Tax Year 2023 By Elise Rhee| Director, Research & Development Tax Credits Effective for the tax year ended 2023, Arizona has implemented a new calculation method, mirroring the federal Alternative Simplified Calculation (ASC) approach. Notably, if a taxpayer hasn’t incurred qualified research expenses … Read More
Virginia Research and Development Expenses Tax Credits Amended
04/15/2024KBKG Tax Alert: Virginia Research and Development Expenses Tax Credits Amended By Ian Williams| Principal, R&D Tax Credits Effective July 2024, Virginia’s Governor Youngkin signed legislation that impacts Virginia’s major research and development expenses tax credit. The changes include a decreased major R&D expenses cap, a new credit calculation method, and an increased R&D expenses … Read More
Michigan’s Senate Enacts R&D Tax Credit
03/25/2024KBKG Tax Insight: Michigan’s Senate Enacts R&D Tax Credit By Michael Maroney | Director, Research & Development Tax Credits On March 19, 2024, Michigan’s Senate passed legislation enacting an R&D credit, the first of its kind since the R&D credit expired over a decade ago. The Senate passed HB 5100, which the Democrat-led Michigan House … Read More