The R&D tax credit can help a wide variety of businesses offset and reduce their income tax liability, in addition to providing many other benefits.
Businesses in Iowa can earn a 3% state income tax credit for the increase in their annual research and development expenses, compared to the previous two years. To calculate the credit, the eligible expenses incurred for qualifying R&D activities must be identified and calculated, including wages, supplies, and contract research. The credit must be claimed 25% each year for four years. Accurate records and documentation must be kept to determine eligible expenses.
An Alternative Simplified Credit (ASC) method is also available, providing an approximate 4.55% credit on Iowa-based expenditures exceeding the average qualified research expenses (QREs) from the previous three years. Moreover, to be eligible for the Iowa R&D credits, taxpayers must also claim federal R&D credits using Form 6765.
In Iowa, R&D tax credits are available to companies that engage in qualifying activities to advance knowledge or improve processes, products, or technologies. These must be technological, aid in product development, and involve experimentation. Eligible expenses exclude land, equipment, surveys, customer-specific costs, and government-funded research. Some of the qualifying R&D activities include: Development of new products, Testing and experimentation, Development of prototype, Solving technical problems and the like. Accurate record-keeping is crucial for claiming credits.
Eligible businesses in Iowa’s enterprise zones can claim for R&D tax credit if they meet legal requirements under the state and federal law. The credit requires 3 years of presence in the same enterprise zone, with prorated credit for businesses opening mid-year. Qualifying R&D activities must advance knowledge or improve processes, products or technologies. It even includes C-corporations and pass-throughs.
In Iowa, the Research Activities Credit specifically targets expenses incurred within the state for research and development activities. The regular Iowa R&D tax credit is calculated as 6.5% of either the qualifying research expenditures that go beyond a predetermined base amount or 50% of the total qualifying research expenditures, whichever is lower. This incentive is designed to promote innovation and encourage businesses to increase their investment in R&D activities within Iowa.
The Iowa research and development tax credit allows for businesses to claim a percentage of their qualifying research expenses.
Wages paid to employees who are directly involved in the performance of research and development activities within the state of Iowa. This includes payments made to subcontractors involved in the performance of such activities.
Most states offer R&D tax credits as well with many of them being more lucrative than the federal credit. At Source Advisors, we can help assess your company’s federal R&D tax credit opportunity and also determine any state R&D tax credit availability. Our team of experienced CPAs, attorneys, engineers, and technology experts helps companies save money and create cash flow with R&D tax credits that can then help drive overall growth.
