Frequently Asked Questions

A federal and state incentive that rewards companies for certain types of innovation — reducing income, and in some cases payroll, tax liability when eligible activities and expenses are properly documented.

Eligibility is determined using the IRS 4-Part Test. The work must be based on the hard sciences, intended to create or improve a product, process, or software, involve technical uncertainty, and include an iterative process of experimentation to eliminate that uncertainty.

Common activities include developing new products, improving manufacturing processes, developing or enhancing software, and designing custom solutions. The most common qualified expenses are wages, supplies, and U.S.-based contract research.

Up to three prior tax years can be claimed retroactively.

Typically federal and state tax returns, wage records, general ledger detail, and documentation of R&D activities. We guide the client’s team through organizing what’s needed.

Minimal involvement is required beyond providing requested information and meeting for key discussions. The process is structured to minimize disruption.

We stand behind our work. Audit support is part of the original engagement.

We don’t replace the tax preparer, wealth manager, or family office CFO — we handle the specialized work and hand the deliverable to the existing team to file. The referring firm’s relationship with the client stays intact.

Any company investing in product development, software, engineering, or process innovation is worth reviewing. Common industries include manufacturing, engineering, software, and the life sciences — but eligibility is determined by the activity, not the sector. If you’re unsure, fifteen minutes on the phone is usually enough to identify candidates.

Client information stays inside the engagement. No case studies, no client logos, no anonymized-but-recognizable descriptions on our website or in our marketing. NDAs are signed on request before the first working conversation.

Once a warm introduction is made, we take the engagement from scoping through final deliverable. The referring firm is kept informed at the milestones that matter and is otherwise not asked to manage the relationship or oversee the work.

Every engagement produces a complete set of calculations, narratives, workpapers, and forms — the documentation an auditor would request. We follow the same disciplined process for every client, and audit support is included as part of the original engagement.

Yes. Not every activity qualifies, and not every dollar of R&D spend is a qualified research expense. We tell clients when something doesn’t meet the four-part test. An inflated credit creates a negative return when it has to be given back.

We integrate into your client relationship — never around it. You remain the primary tax preparer and advisor, and we handle the specialized R&D credit work. Our deliverable is a complete, audit-ready package your team can file with confidence.

Minimal. As the tax preparer, you’ll handle the filing — and sometimes amendments — but we request only the documents we can’t get directly from the client and deliver the completed forms and substantiation you need to file. We’re ready to field any questions you have throughout the process.

Common industries include manufacturing, engineering, and software development — but others qualify. Reviewing the four-part test with us is the fastest way to know. We’re happy to walk through specific client situations with you.

Our deliverables contain the calculations, narratives, and supporting workpapers an auditor would request. We follow the same process for every engagement, and audit support is included at no extra charge.

All client information is kept strictly confidential. We sign NDAs on request.