Franklin County R&D Tax Advisors
R&D Tax Credit Services for Franklin County Businesses
Franklin County is home to a diverse mix of software developers, technology firms, manufacturing operations, healthcare technology teams, and applied engineering businesses. Many of these organizations develop new capabilities, refine systems, improve materials, or enhance production workflows yet may not realize that these efforts can qualify for the federal R&D Tax Credit. Across the county, teams frequently test alternatives, validate performance, or address engineering and software challenges that may meet IRS criteria when properly documented.
RCG has completed more than 25,000 R&D tax credit studies and identified more than $750 million in federal tax savings. Our CPAs, engineers, and technical analysts focus exclusively on R&D tax credit services. We assist Franklin County businesses in determining which activities qualify, gathering the right documentation, and preparing audit-ready project reports that support compliant filing.
Understanding the R&D Tax Credit
The federal R&D Tax Credit rewards companies that invest in improving or developing products, processes, software, or internal systems. The credit focuses on how the work is performed. Projects may qualify when they involve engineering principles, systematic testing, software design, data architecture improvements, or efforts to resolve technical uncertainty during development.
Franklin County businesses often conduct eligible activities while designing software features, refining automation, testing materials, improving product performance, or integrating new technologies.
How the R&D Tax Credit Supports Franklin County Businesses
Qualified research expenses reduce federal tax liability, allowing companies in Franklin County to reinvest in development initiatives, equipment upgrades, workforce expansion, and technology enhancements. Eligible businesses may also examine open tax years for additional credits. Startups that meet IRS criteria may apply the credit toward the employer portion of payroll taxes, strengthening early-stage cash flow.
Where Qualified Activity Commonly Occurs in Franklin County
RCG reviews your development and production processes to identify opportunities that meet IRS requirements. Qualifying activities in Franklin County often include:
Developing or enhancing software platforms or internal applications
Testing system architectures, integrations, or data workflows
Improving automation, robotics, or advanced manufacturing systems
Refining materials, formulations, or structural performance
Designing prototypes and validating component performance
Conducting controlled testing, simulation, or iterative engineering analysis
Sectors That Qualify for R&D Tax Incentives
Software Development & Digital Engineering
Prototype testing, tolerance adjustments, material evaluation, process refinement
Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics
Testing materials, refining tolerances, evaluating equipment configurations, enhancing automated systems, or developing prototypes.
Healthcare Technology & Life Science Engineering
Testing device concepts, improving processes, validating system performance, or enhancing digital health tools.
Material Science & Applied Engineering
Evaluating material properties, testing formulations, refining composite structures, or improving material reliability.
Product Design & Technical Services
Design iteration, prototype testing, system improvement, and validation through structured experimentation.
Who Qualifies for the R&D Tax Credit
Franklin County businesses may qualify when they perform activities such as:
Designing or refining software architecture
Developing prototypes or testing design variations
Evaluating materials, components, or system configurations
Refining manufacturing or automation processes
Conducting structured experimentation or engineering analysis
Addressing technical uncertainty during development or implementation
Eligibility depends on the technical method, not the industry size.
Steps to Claim Your R&D Tax Credit
1. Identify technical activity
RCG meets with your engineering, software, or production teams to understand development challenges and experimentation.
2. Gather documentation
We help collect design files, testing notes, development logs, system records, prototype data, and payroll information.
3. Build project narratives
RCG prepares clear narratives describing uncertainty, experimentation, and technical objectives for each project.
4. Evaluate qualified research expenses
We review wages, supplies, and contractor activity tied to eligible research efforts.
5. Deliver an audit-ready package
Your CPA receives complete technical documentation and the required IRS forms.
6. Support questions when needed
If taxing authorities request clarification, RCG responds using documentation prepared during your study.
IRS Requirements: The Four-Part Test
Permitted Purpose: Work must aim to improve performance, function, reliability, or quality.
Elimination of Uncertainty: Teams must address uncertainty regarding capability, method, or appropriate design.
Process of Experimentation: Projects must involve testing, simulation, prototyping, or structured evaluation of alternatives.
Technological in Nature: Efforts must rely on engineering, computer science, biological sciences, or physical sciences.
Documentation and Support for Franklin County Businesses
The IRS requires documentation that connects qualified activities to the associated expenses. RCG prepares detailed project descriptions, supporting schedules, engineering summaries, and wage analyses that clearly demonstrate how qualifying work occurred, strengthening audit readiness.
How RCG Works With Your Franklin County Team
RCG begins by learning how your operations function and where technical development occurs. We speak directly with engineering, software, and production personnel to understand the iterative work performed. RCG converts these insights into complete, audit-ready documentation for your CPA.
Common Misconceptions About the R&D Tax Credit
Many Franklin County companies assume their work is too routine to qualify or believe only large labs are eligible. In reality, qualifying activity frequently occurs in software development, iterative product design, material testing, automation work, and systems engineering. Eligibility depends on the technical process, not the size of the company.
Why Franklin County Companies Work With RCG
RCG brings specialized experience in documenting qualified technical work. Our engineering and tax expertise helps Franklin County businesses uncover eligible activity and maintain strong compliance with IRS expectations.
Start Your R&D Tax Credit Review
If your Franklin County business is developing, refining, testing, or improving products, software, or processes, the R&D Tax Credit may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Franklin County software teams qualify for the R&D Tax Credit?
Yes. Developing new features, building internal platforms, improving integrations, or enhancing system performance may qualify.
Does advanced manufacturing qualify?
Often yes. Testing materials, refining tolerances, improving automation, or evaluating prototypes may qualify.
What about healthcare or life science development?
Work involving engineering principles, testing processes, or validating technical performance may qualify when experimentation is involved.
Can Franklin County startups apply credits toward payroll taxes?
Yes. Eligible startups may apply the credit to the employer portion of payroll taxes.
Which records help support a strong R&D claim?
Design documents, test logs, prototype records, development notes, system logs, production data, and payroll records.
R&D Tax Credit
Our Serving Area
RCG assists clients in identifying and documenting available adoption assistance tax credits throughout the state of Ohio.
