1. Identify technical activity

RCG meets with your team to understand development and problem-solving efforts across engineering, production, or software operations.

2. Gather documentation

We help compile design files, testing notes, production data, programming logs, payroll records, and other relevant information.

3. Build project narratives

RCG prepares clear descriptions for each qualified project, outlining technical objectives, experimentation, and the uncertainty addressed.

4. Evaluate qualified research expenses

We review wages, supply costs, and contractor work to determine eligible research expenses.

5. Deliver an audit-ready package

Your CPA receives a complete filing package that includes all required documentation and technical narratives.

6. Support your team if questions arise

If taxing authorities request additional information, RCG responds using the documentation we prepared during your study.

Do Champaign County manufacturers qualify for the R&D credit

Often yes. Feature development, workflow automation, and systems engineering may qualify.

Does software development qualify if we do not have a research department

Yes. Developing internal tools, improving system performance, or building new features may qualify when grounded in computer science principles.

We operate a food production facility. Could this qualify

Possibly. Adjusting formulations, refining processing steps, or improving consistency may qualify when experimentation is involved.

Can Champaign County startups apply the credit to payroll taxes

Yes. Eligible startups may apply the credit toward the employer portion of payroll taxes.

What documentation strengthens an R&D claim

Design files, testing notes, code logs, prototype evaluations, production records, and payroll data help substantiate a claim. RCG organizes these materials into a defensible package.

R&D Tax Credit Services for Champaign County Businesses

Champaign County is home to a mix of manufacturers, food producers, fabrication shops, agricultural operations, and technology-driven businesses. Many of these organizations perform technical work every day but may not recognize it as qualifying research. Whether improving production reliability, evaluating new materials, refining processes, or developing internal software, these efforts may meet IRS requirements for the federal R&D Tax Credit.

RCG has completed more than 25,000 R&D tax credit studies and identified over $750 million in federal tax savings. Our team of CPAs, engineers, and technical analysts focuses exclusively on R&D tax incentive services. We help Champaign County businesses identify qualifying activities, gather proper documentation, and prepare audit-ready reports for compliant filing.

Understanding the R&D Tax Credit

The R&D Tax Credit rewards companies that invest in developing or improving products, processes, and internal systems. Eligibility depends on the technical process, not company size or industry. Activities may qualify when they involve structured testing, engineering principles, scientific evaluation, software development, or attempts to resolve technical uncertainty.

In Champaign County, companies frequently perform qualifying work as part of routine operations, including product refinement, automation improvements, prototype development, and software enhancements.

Where Qualified Activity Commonly Occurs in Champaign County

RCG examines your technical processes to identify where qualified research may be occurring. In Champaign County, common qualifying activities include:

Sectors That Qualify for R&D Tax Incentives

Manufacturing and Fabrication
Refining processes, adjusting tolerances, evaluating materials, testing components, and improving production workflow.

Food Production and Product Development
Refining formulations, improving consistency, reviewing packaging performance, or adjusting processing conditions.

Agricultural Technology and Applied Science

Testing treatments, evaluating equipment modifications, or reviewing biological interactions.

Software and Digital Development

Building internal applications, improving system functionality, developing new features, or integrating automation tools.

Mechanical and Industrial Systems

Enhancing control logic, testing system design, evaluating performance, or refining equipment capabilities.

Who Qualifies for the R&D Tax Credit

Champaign County businesses may qualify when they conduct technical work such as:

Steps to Claim Your R&D Tax Credit

1. Identify technical activity
RCG meets with your team to understand development and problem-solving efforts across engineering, production, or software operations.
2. Gather documentation
We help compile design files, testing notes, production data, programming logs, payroll records, and other relevant information.
3. Build project narratives
RCG prepares clear descriptions for each qualified project, outlining technical objectives, experimentation, and the uncertainty addressed.
4. Evaluate qualified research expenses
We review wages, supply costs, and contractor work to determine eligible research expenses.
5. Deliver an audit-ready package
Your CPA receives a complete filing package that includes all required documentation and technical narratives.
6. Support your team if questions arise
If taxing authorities request additional information, RCG responds using the documentation we prepared during your study.

IRS Requirements: The Four-Part Test

Documentation and Support for Champaign County Businesses

The IRS expects documentation that clearly connects technical work to related expenses. RCG provides detailed project narratives, wage analyses, testing summaries, and supporting schedules to demonstrate how qualified research occurred. This ensures a strong, defensible R&D claim.

Common Misconceptions About the R&D Tax Credit

Many Champaign County businesses assume they do not qualify because their work feels routine or because they do not have a dedicated research team. In reality, qualifying R&D often occurs on the production floor, in maintenance or engineering areas, or during software development. Eligibility is based on the technical process, not the business size or the presence of a laboratory.

Why Champaign County Companies Work With RCG

RCG specializes in documenting technical activities and identifying qualified research efforts. Our experience across engineering and taxation helps Champaign County companies capture eligible work and maintain strong audit readiness.

Start Your R&D Tax Credit Review

If your Champaign County business is refining, testing, developing, or improving products or processes, the R&D Tax Credit may apply.

CONTACT RCG TO BEGIN YOUR EVALUATION

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Champaign County manufacturers qualify for the R&D credit
Often yes. Feature development, workflow automation, and systems engineering may qualify.
Does software development qualify if we do not have a research department
Yes. Developing internal tools, improving system performance, or building new features may qualify when grounded in computer science principles.
We operate a food production facility. Could this qualify
Possibly. Adjusting formulations, refining processing steps, or improving consistency may qualify when experimentation is involved.
Can Champaign County startups apply the credit to payroll taxes
Yes. Eligible startups may apply the credit toward the employer portion of payroll taxes.
What documentation strengthens an R&D claim
Design files, testing notes, code logs, prototype evaluations, production records, and payroll data help substantiate a claim. RCG organizes these materials into a defensible package.

Get in touch

Champaign County R&D Tax Advisors