Permitted purpose
The work aims to create or improve the function, performance, reliability, or quality of a business component.
Tax incentives, accounting, and strategic financeSpeak with Cheng →
WHO MAY QUALIFY
Innovation doesn’t need a lab coat.
Small businesses, technology startups, and manufacturers may qualify when their teams use technical disciplines to resolve uncertainty and evaluate alternatives.
THE FOUR-PART FRAMEWORK
Qualified research starts with what the team actually did.
Technological in nature
The process relies on principles of engineering, computer science, physical science, or biological science.
Elimination of uncertainty
At the outset, the team faces uncertainty about capability, method, or appropriate design.
Process of experimentation
The team evaluates alternatives through modeling, simulation, prototyping, testing, or systematic trial and error.
COMMON SIGNALS
Work worth a closer look.
Eligibility depends on specific facts, but these activities often signal that a focused federal or state credit review may be worthwhile.
- Developing or improving software
- Designing new products or components
- Building and testing prototypes
- Improving manufacturing processes
- Testing alternative materials or methods
- Solving engineering or scalability challenges
INDUSTRIES WE SERVE
Eligibility is activity-based. An industry label alone does not determine whether work or costs qualify.
A PRACTICAL FIRST STEP
Let’s talk about what your business needs next.
Whether the opportunity is a tax credit, stronger financial reporting, or forward-looking advice, Cheng will help you identify a useful next step.
Start a conversation ↗