Fairborn’s R&D Tax Advisors
R&D Tax Credit
R&D Tax Credit Services for Fairborn’s, Ohio Businesses
Fairborn’s business community includes aerospace suppliers, engineering teams, advanced manufacturing firms, defense-related innovators, software developers, and industrial technology companies. Across these industries, teams refine processes, enhance systems, test new designs, and solve technical challenges daily. This type of work often qualifies for the federal Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit even without a formal R&D department.
Since 2004, RCG has completed 25,000+ R&D tax credit studies and identified over $750 million in federal and state tax savings. Our specialists including CPAs, engineers, architects, and technical analysts work exclusively on R&D Tax Credits and Cost Segregation Studies. Fairborn companies rely on us for accurate, clean, audit-ready documentation that supports compliant filing.
Many local organizations assume the credit applies only to large technology companies. In reality, small and mid-sized Fairborn businesses qualify every year. RCG evaluates your technical activities and prepares the documentation needed for accurate reporting.
What the R&D Tax Credit Is
The R&D Tax Credit is a federal incentive that supports technical development, engineering evaluation, testing, software refinement, and process improvement. Fairborn companies do not need a research lab to qualify. Qualifying work often occurs during prototype development, system updates, testing, and production improvement.
Ohio also offers a state-level incentive depending on your business’s circumstances.
How the R&D Tax Credit Strengthens Your Fairborn Operations
Reduced tax liability: Qualified research expenses generate federal and, when applicable, state tax savings.
Improved cash flow: Businesses often claim credits for open tax years (typically the last three), creating immediate financial value when eligible.
Support for continuous development: Testing, prototype iterations, software refinement, and engineering improvements qualify when technical steps are involved.
Potential payroll tax offset: Eligible early-stage companies can apply a portion of the credit toward payroll taxes.
Recognition for technical advancement: The credit rewards engineering, production, and software efforts that enhance performance, functionality, reliability, safety, or efficiency.
RCG identifies qualifying Fairborn activities and prepares documentation aligned with IRS requirements.
What the R&D Tax Credit Can Do for Your Fairborn Business
Fairborn companies regularly conduct engineering evaluations, prototype trials, testing workflows, software development, material analysis, automation work, and production refinement. When teams examine alternatives, adjust designs, improve reliability, or enhance system performance, they often perform activities recognized under federal R&D standards.
RCG reviews these efforts, interprets technical details, and prepares all audit-ready documentation. Eligible companies may also secure credits for open tax years, strengthening overall financial performance.
Sectors That Qualify for R&D Tax Incentives in Fairborn
The R&D Tax Credit applies to Fairborn organizations involved in technical improvement and development, including:
Aerospace & defense supply chain
Engineering & product design
Manufacturing & industrial production
Software and IT development
Automation & industrial technology
Tooling, machining & fabrication
Medical and scientific technology
Prototype and test-based development
Eligibility is based on the technical nature of the work, not the size of the company.
Who Qualifies for the R&D Tax Credit
Fairborn businesses may qualify when they perform activities such as:
Engineering analysis or evaluations
Prototype development & refinement
Early-stage feasibility testing
Material or performance testing
Improving production efficiency
Enhancing product or system functionality
Certification, durability, or compliance testing
Modifying equipment for improved results
Developing or updating software
Adding automation or control systems
Reviewing test or engineering data
Using CAD or 3D modeling tools
RCG evaluates how your efforts align with IRS criteria.
Steps to Claim Your R&D Tax Credit
1. Identify qualifying activities
RCG reviews your technical, engineering, and development work.
2. Gather documentation
We help collect engineering notes, testing records, technical documentation, and qualified expense data.
3. Document qualifying projects
RCG prepares structured technical summaries using CrediTrak.
4. Review qualified research expenses
We evaluate wages, supplies, and contractor costs linked to eligible work.
5. Deliver audit-ready documentation
Your CPA receives a complete, organized filing package.
6. Provide clarification when needed
RCG responds to taxing authorities using prepared documentation.
How the IRS Defines Qualified Research
| Requirement | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Permitted Purpose | Work improves function, performance, reliability, or quality. |
| Elimination of Uncertainty | Teams resolve uncertainty around capability, method, or design. |
| Process of Experimentation | Evaluation includes testing, modeling, prototyping, or structured analysis. |
| Technological in Nature | Activities rely on engineering, science, or computer science. |
RCG helps Fairborn businesses understand how these rules apply to everyday development work.
Documentation and Support
RCG prepares all documentation required for a compliant filing:
Project descriptions
Technical summaries
Testing and engineering details
Activity explanations
Qualified expense records
If taxing authorities request clarification, RCG provides responses using the materials created during your engagement.
How RCG Works With Your Westlake Team
Initial Review – We learn about your Fairborn operations and identify qualifying activities.
Technical Discussions – Our specialists gather details about engineering, software, production improvement, and testing work.
CrediTrak Documentation – RCG organizes project activity and qualified expenses through our proprietary documentation platform.
Deliverables for Your CPA – We prepare clean, compliant, audit-ready documentation.
Support During Follow-Up – RCG provides clarification whenever additional details are requested.
Common Misconceptions About the R&D Tax Credit
“We do not have a research lab.”
Most qualifying work occurs in engineering, testing, production, and software environments.
“We are not a high-tech company.”
Many Fairborn manufacturers, engineering teams, and service-based organizations qualify.
“We only improve existing products.”
Enhancements qualify when evaluation, testing, or technical refinement is involved.
“This credit is only for large corporations.”
Small and mid-sized Fairborn companies qualify consistently.
“We do not create new products.”
Improvements to existing systems, software, or production methods qualify under federal rules.
“We already perform this work, so it probably does not count.”
Testing, analyzing alternatives, and solving technical problems often meet IRS expectations.
Why Fairborn Companies Work With RCG
RCG combines accounting expertise, engineering knowledge, and clear communication. Our specialists have completed thousands of R&D studies and understand how qualifying work occurs inside real operations across the Fairborn Wright-Patterson Dayton regional corridor.
We convert your engineering, testing, software development, and production improvement activities into clear, audit-ready documentation that supports compliant R&D Tax Credit filings.
Start Your R&D Tax Credit Review
If your Fairborn company is developing, testing, refining, or improving products or processes, you may qualify for the R&D Tax Credit. RCG reviews your technical work and prepares the documentation needed for accurate filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Fairborn manufacturers strong candidates for the R&D Tax Credit?
Yes. Many improve production methods, refine tooling, evaluate materials, and enhance quality.
Do Fairborn software and IT companies qualify?
Yes. Software development often includes testing, refinement, and technical evaluation.
Do engineering and design firms qualify?
Yes. Prototyping, modeling, and design refinement regularly align with IRS criteria.
Does the credit apply to process improvements?
Yes. Enhancements to efficiency, quality, and performance qualify when technical steps are involved.
Do we need new products to qualify?
No. Improvements to existing systems, software, or production methods qualify.
What documentation is required?
Engineering notes, testing data, technical documentation, project descriptions, and qualified expense records all prepared by RCG.
What is the first step?
A conversation with RCG to confirm how your activities align with IRS guidelines
Our Serving Area
RCG assists clients in identifying and documenting available adoption assistance tax credits throughout the state of Ohio.
