Is Your Research & Development (R&D) Provider The Right Fit For You?

The Research & Development (R&D) tax credit enables companies of all sizes across various industries to reduce their federal income tax for qualified research expenses. Claiming this credit can potentially result in significant cost savings and an increase in cash flow, making it highly beneficial for startup and existing companies.

Working with an R&D tax credit provider well versed in its nuances is crucial to companies wishing to claim this credit. When seeking credible providers to assist in claiming the credit, keep these questions in mind:

Does Your Provider Assess Their Fee Based on Project Scope or a Percentage of Variable Benefit?

When seeking R&D providers, it is important to understand how their pricing is structured. Most providers expect either a fixed or contingency fee—knowing the difference between the two will assist in selecting the provider that will best suit your budgetary needs.

Fixed Fees: This pricing structure is a predetermined charge that the party receiving the service agrees to pay to the party performing the service, regardless of the time or resources expended. Fixed fees are often scoped out by the provider and provide a clear picture of the costs associated with the service. Fixed fee arrangements simplify budgeting for the agreed-upon work.

Contingency Fees: In this pricing structure, a client is charged a percentage of the outcome of the R&D services performed. Contingent percentages generally range between 25% to 40% of the recovered amount. This structure offers less predictability when it comes to budgeting, as there is no guarantee of the amount that may be recovered after the work has been performed.

The main distinctions between these pricing structures lie in how the payments are organized and the various levels of risk they pose to clients engaging in services. Inquiring about a provider’s payment expectations is crucial in selecting the best provider to align with your company’s budget.

Does Your Firm Defend Its Work During an Audit, and Is It Included in Its Fee?

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Webinar: Introduction To R&D & Form 6765
About
This course introduces attendees to the Research & Development Tax Credit under IRC § 41. Attendees will learn the history and evolution of the R&D Tax Credit since its inception in 1981. Attendees will further learn how to identify qualifying activities under the Four-Part Test as well as the types of qualified research expenses. Examples of developmental life cycles and case studies will be presented. Calculation methodologies will be presented for both income tax and payroll tax claims. The impact of IRC § 174 as well as proposed changes to the Form 6765 will be covered.
Date
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 · 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (US & Canada) (GMT -7:00) 
Presenters
Jim Foster, J.D.
Director of Tax Controversy
Jim joined Source Advisors as the Director of Tax Controversy in 2022. He has worked in tax incentives such as the R&D tax credit, disaster relief credits, the Employee Retention Credit, and most recently § 174. Jim has been practicing in the general area of taxation and tax law for over fifteen years. In that time, he has produced numerous successful tax credit cases for his corporate clients. Further, he has had successful tax audits that range from IRS audits and appeals to state-level tax audits. Prior to joining Source Advisors, Jim worked at two national consulting firms. While in law school, Jim worked at a public accounting office where he helped the firm advance in and maintain double-digit growth. Jim received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Texas A&M University and his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law Houston. He is a licensed attorney in the State of Texas.

 

Jordan Fazio

Senior Director, Detroit
Jordan joined Source Advisors in 2015 and is a Senior Director of R&D Tax Credit Consulting. His primary responsibilities include providing consulting to CPAs and taxpayers looking for guidance on R&D tax credits and managing R&D tax credit projects. His experience prior to Source Advisors includes eight years of market risk management, software development, and operations in OTC derivative markets. Jordan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance from Grand Valley State University.

 

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