A structured approach
Four phases
No loose ends
Every engagement follows the same disciplined path. It’s designed to be thorough without being disruptive, and to leave you with documentation that stands on its own—today and in the years ahead.
Phase 1
– Estimate
We begin by meeting with your point of contact and key team members to get a working understanding of your operations. Using estimated numbers you provide—such as wage data, project counts, or supply costs—we prepare a preliminary estimate of your potential credit. This gives you a clear sense of the opportunity before committing further resources.
Phase 2
– Project Substantiation
We determine which of your business components qualify for the credit, and which deserve deeper review. Priority goes to projects with the largest qualified research expenses (QREs). We work directly with your technical leads to gather contemporaneous documentation and technical details. For each project we review in detail, we prepare a narrative that becomes part of your final deliverable and supports the credit’s substantiation.
Phase 3
– Credit Calculation
Often running alongside Phase 2, this is where we compile the financial records needed for accurate calculations: tax returns, wage data, general ledger detail, and contracts for third-party research. We organize the data, review it with your team, and determine QRE amounts for employees, supplies, and contract research. The results are precise credit amounts, plus the required federal and state tax forms for your CPA or tax preparer. We also handle any questions they may have.
Phase 4
– Deliverable
We assemble everything into a comprehensive package:
- A summary memo of your company’s R&D efforts and credit amounts
- A procedures memo outlining how the credit was calculated
- All calculations, workpapers, and tax forms
- Project narratives
- Any additional documentation that could be useful in an audit
If the credit is ever reviewed, most—if not all—of what an auditor would request will already be in your possession.
Phase Highlights
Phase 1: Estimate – Identify the opportunity using your preliminary numbers.
Phase 2: Substantiation – Confirm qualifying work and gather documentation.
Phase 3: Calculation – Compile, organize, and calculate the credit.
Phase 4: Deliverable – Package everything for filing and future reference.
A process like this doesn’t just produce a number—
it produces peace of mind.
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No pressure. No Pitch. Just clarity.