KBF’s R&D Tax Credit Study: A Five-Step Process for Audit-Ready Claims
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Claiming the research and development (R&D) tax credit isn’t just about filling out a form. It’s about building a defensible, dollar-maximizing R&D tax credit claim that holds up long after it’s filed. Our five-step process turns your innovation into a documented, audit-ready R&D tax credit.
1. Discover: R&D Tax Credit Eligibility Screening
Before we invest real time into a full R&D tax credit study, we make sure it’s worth it. We run your projects and technical work through the IRS’s four-part test up front, so you know exactly where you stand on R&D tax credit eligibility before committing to anything further.
- Activity scoping and R&D tax credit eligibility screening
- Project-level technical interviews
- Written R&D tax credit eligibility summary with clear next steps
2. Strategize: R&D Tax Credit Strategy and Prior-Year Review
An R&D tax credit is only as valuable as the strategy behind it. We look beyond the current year to find where the R&D tax credit fits into your broader tax picture, including credits you may have already earned and left unclaimed.
- R&D tax credit opportunity assessment across current and prior years
- Prior-year claim review to uncover missed R&D tax credit value
- Risk and exposure considerations built in from day one
3. Study: Comprehensive R&D Tax Credit Study and Expense Analysis
This is where the R&D tax credit work happens. We conduct an end-to-end study of your qualifying activities, working directly with your technical teams to build an R&D tax credit claim that’s accurate, substantiated, and ready to stand on its own.
- Field interviews and detailed project workpapers
- Qualified expense analysis, dollar by dollar
- Final R&D tax credit calculation memo
4. Document: R&D Tax Credit Documentation and Audit Preparation
A great R&D tax credit calculation means little without the paper trail to back it up. We help you organize the narratives, records, and technical detail the IRS expects, before you ever need them.
- Project narratives and technical writeups
- Time-tracking framework setup for future R&D tax credit years
- Fully organized, audit-ready R&D tax credit documentation files
5. Advise: Ongoing Advisory and IRS Examination Support
When questions get technical, whether from your leadership team or the IRS, we’re in the room. Our advisors stay engaged well past the final R&D tax credit report, so you’re never navigating this alone.
- Discovery calls with key stakeholders
- Findings presentations in plain language
- Direct support through IRS examination, if it comes to that
From first screening to final defense, our R&D tax credit process is built around one goal: turning your innovation into an R&D tax credit you can trust and defend.
The R&D tax credit is not limited to big companies. Any size business can qualify, and the R&D tax credit is one of the more accessible credits for smaller and early-stage businesses. If your business involves building or improving a product, a process, or software, it’s worth having a professional take a look. Connect with our team or contact Brian Applebaum directly at bapplebaum@kbfadvisory.com.