TaxOps Minimization

R&D FAQs

We create best practices within the industry and uncover opportunities to increase credits, deductions and deferrals in ways that often go undetected by other firms.

  • Claim lucrative Research & Development credits and other tax saving opportunities
  • Fast results and positive tax outcomes save our clients time, money and hassle
  • Insights informing your tax decisions and transaction strategy
  • Referred by other CPA firms to perform specialty work in areas where referring firms lack expertise

IN ADDITION TO TAX MINIMIZATION SOLUTIONS

We are R&D

  • Businesses looking for comprehensive tax solutions
  • Corporate tax departments needing R&D expertise
  • CPA firms without in-house R&D specialty
  • Businesses under IRS and state audit

Leverage Our Experience

We put our 60+ years of combined team experience maximizing tax savings to work for innovative businesses in all industries. Our efficient methods and strong use of technology reduce costs and keeps business disruptions to a minimum. We integrate a compliance framework so businesses can continue capturing ongoing credits easily and in audit-ready deliverables.​ Led by Mark Dunning, the TaxOps Minimization team is responsive day-to-day and accomplished negotiators in IRS and state proceedings.

Parklike setting with Mark Dunning

Mark Dunning

Partner

Jamie Overberg

Partner

Jennifer Bergam

Tax Manager

Lydia Kreider

Tax Manager

Tax Savings Through Credits

We’ve generated countless millions of dollars in tax savings for our clients. So, when our clients say you cannot get a more experienced, innovative and efficient team pursuing tax saving strategies for your enterprise, they’re not kidding. The primary industries we serve are:

  • Software & Technology
  • Engineering
  • Manufacturing
  • Automotive
  • Biomedical/medical devices
  • Aeronautical

What our clients say

We work hard and are easy to work with. Don’t take our word for it. See what our clients have to say.

“We have worked with Mark Dunning and the TaxOps team for more than three years and couldn’t be happier with the relationship we’ve built. We initially chose TaxOps over other Big Four firms due to their R&D experience, responsiveness and attention to detail. The team works closely with our internal tax department to expeditiously and accurately complete R&D credit work in time for year-end provisions. TaxOps interviewers get in and get out quickly, minimizing disruptions at Ancestry. Additionally, our TaxOps team has had very little turnover, providing comfort and a friendly face to our engineers and IT professionals. TaxOps has also provided IRS controversy assistance with successful results. We are both fortunate and happy to have TaxOps working with us.“

Ed Gwynn, Vice President of Tax, Ancestry

“One Big Four firm stopped pursuing us as an R&D credit client when they learned we had switched from another Big Four firm to TaxOps. The great work done by Mark Dunning, Jamie Overberg, and the TaxOps team is well-known in the industry.”

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.,

“I have had the pleasure of working with the TaxOps team for a few years in connection with several companies. They have done a terrific job identifying the opportunity for R&D tax credits and working with our technical team to get the information necessary while minimizing the impact to our team. They are very responsive and professional. Thanks for the value you provide.”

Bill Guerry, Chief Financial Officer, ThinkIQ

"We’ve been partnering with the A-Players at TaxOps and receiving outstanding service since 2013. TaxOps takes the time to understand our business and how it is evolving year over year. They have been nothing less than invaluable advisors helping us deploy the best strategies to maximize our research and development credits. TaxOps continues to exceed our expectations and we look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come."

 Ron Zoibi, CFO, Gaggle.net

Research & Development Credits

Unlock the financing potential of R&D credits
These dollar-for-dollar federal and state credits are available to taxpayers who perform qualified research, and can return 4 to 6.5 cents for every dollar spent in qualified expenses.

New in 2016: R&D payroll tax offset
Companies with < $5 million in revenue and < 5 years of revenue can use the credit to offset payroll tax in the quarter after filing a tax return that includes research credit claims.

Increase net R&D credit return
We deliver fresh perspectives and proven strategies that:
• Qualify and quantify activities by associate per component and project
• Uncover additional expensing categories
• Streamline the interview, data and documentation process
• Increase validity of qualifications while keeping disruptions to a minimum
• Deliver audit-ready study on an indexed flash drive for easy record retrieval
• Integrate compliance framework and forward-looking tax saving strategy

R&D process
With an efficient, year-round process, we perform the R&D study on your timeline and deliver all reports, schedules and memos well before the tax return deadline. Our efforts extend to modifying your provision estimate.

Research & Development Credits

Unlock the financing potential of R&D credits
These dollar-for-dollar federal and state credits are available to taxpayers who perform qualified research, and can return 5 to 8 cents for every dollar spent in qualified expenses.

R&D Payroll Tax Offset
Companies with < $5 million in revenue and < 5 years of revenue can use the credit to offset payroll tax in the quarter after filing a tax return that includes research credit claims.

Increase net R&D credit return
We deliver fresh perspectives and proven strategies that:
• Qualify and quantify activities by associate per component and project
• Uncover additional expensing categories
• Streamline the interview, data and documentation process
• Increase validity of qualifications while keeping disruptions to a minimum
• Deliver audit-ready study on an indexed flash drive for easy record retrieval
• Integrate compliance framework and forward-looking tax saving strategy

R&D process
With an efficient, year-round process, we perform the R&D study on your timeline and deliver all reports, schedules and memos well before the tax return deadline. Our efforts extend to modifying your provision estimate.

§382 Limitation calculations

Businesses with accumulated net operating losses (NOLs) and tax credits could find access to these tax benefits limited by IRC §382/383 without proper planning. §382/383 studies measure when a limitation arises, and the allowable amounts, related to business events that include ownership changes and funding activities.

Value of §382/383 Studies
Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Planning studies support the amount of deferred tax assets from NOLs or credits in financial statements, tax returns, and transaction due diligence.

IRS and State Controversy Assistance

At one time or another, most companies are faced with having to work with the Internal Revenue Service and other state revenue agents to settle tax issues in dispute. We work with national and local tax authorities to develop an audit and workout plan for settling outstanding tax issues, minimizing operating disruptions and frustration often associated with audits, pre-filing agreements, and appeals cases.

Uniform Capitalization §263A

The Internal Revenue Service requires taxpayers to capitalize overhead costs associated with inventory, which increases taxable income. There are several different methods to determine what to include in the calculation. Due to the complexity of the calculation, many taxpayers include costs that should be excluded or use less-than-optimal calculation methods, thus increasing the capitalization.

Value of Uniform Capitalization Study
Through a uniform capitalization study, costs are analyzed and the optimal calculation method is selected for capitalizing overhead costs associated with inventory and lower your tax obligations

§174 & §59(e) Capitalization

Historically under §174, taxpayers were allowed to expense all research expenses or elect to capitalize these costs over five years. For tax years starting Jan. 1, 2022, all businesses—from multi-billion-dollar corporations to small business owners—have been required to capitalize §174 costs, including software development costs. These companies must capitalize all IRC §174 expenses, spreading the amortization of those expenses over either five (US costs) or 15 (foreign costs) years.

Among those impacted are businesses:

  • Making use of §174 expense deductions
  • Claiming R&D credits
  • Preparing income tax provisions
  • Making quarterly estimated tax payments

Section 59(e) provides an optional election to capitalize and ratably amortize §174(a) R&E expenditures over a 10-year period beginning with the taxable year the expenditure was made.

Each taxpayer must follow the law, both capitalizing and amortizing research expenses in alignment with their respective timing situation. Reach out to your TaxOps adviser for more guidance.

Insights & Events

Dig deeper with expert analysis.

View Our Other Solutions

Federal

No two businesses are the same. So, our federal and international tax solutions are fully customized to the way you do business.

State and Local Tax

What you don’t know about taxes shouldn’t undermine your business success here, in all 50 states, five U.S. territories and internationally.

ASC 740

Accounting for income taxes is detail-oriented, complex and time-consuming. Let’s take it off your plate.

Get the right set of eyes on your challenging tax issues.

We like what we do, which makes us fun to work with. Don’t take our word for it.