Grove City R&D Tax Advisors

R&D Tax Credit Services for Grove City, Ohio Businesses

Grove City’s business community spans manufacturing, engineering, product design, industrial technology, food processing, medical devices, and software development. Across these sectors, companies refine processes, improve systems, enhance performance, and solve technical challenges every day. These activities often qualify for the federal Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit, even when businesses do not operate formal R&D departments.


Since 2004, RCG has completed 25,000+ R&D tax credit studies and identified over $750 million in federal and state tax savings. Our team includes CPAs, engineers, architects, and technical specialists who work exclusively on R&D Tax Credits and Cost Segregation Studies. Grove City organizations trust RCG for accurate, audit-ready documentation.


Many businesses assume the R&D Tax Credit applies only to large corporations. In reality, small and mid-sized Grove City companies frequently perform qualifying work. RCG identifies these activities and prepares compliant documentation your CPA can file with confidence.


Serving Grove City and the greater Columbus region.

What the R&D Tax Credit Is

The R&D Tax Credit is a federal incentive that applies to technical development, engineering, testing, software enhancement, and process improvement. Grove City companies do not need a research lab to qualify eligible activities commonly occur during:


  • Design and prototype refinement
  • Material or performance testing
  • Software updates and system development
  • Production process improvements


Ohio also offers a state-level credit depending on your company’s circumstances.

How the R&D Tax Credit Strengthens Your Grove City Business

Reduced tax liability: Qualified research expenses generate federal and, when applicable, state tax savings.

Improved cash flow: Credits are often available for open tax years usually the past three providing immediate financial value when eligible.

Support for ongoing engineering and development: Testing, prototyping, software refinement, and design adjustments qualify when technical steps are involved.

Payroll tax offset for eligible small businesses: Startups may apply a portion of the federal credit toward payroll taxes.

Recognition for technical progress: Work that improves systems, products, software, and manufacturing methods aligns with the intent of the credit.

RCG reviews Grove City activities and prepares compliant documentation for filing.

What the R&D Tax Credit Can Do for Your Grove City Operations

Grove City businesses frequently conduct:

Engineering evaluations

Prototype testing

Production efficiency improvements

Material or reliability testing

Software development and refinement

When teams evaluate alternatives, solve technical challenges, refine processes, or enhance performance, they often perform work that meets federal research criteria.


RCG interprets the technical details of these activities and prepares audit-ready documentation. Companies may also secure credits for open tax years, strengthening financial performance.

Sectors That Qualify for R&D Tax Incentives

The R&D Tax Credit applies to a wide range of Grove City industries involved in technical development, including:

Manufacturing

Engineering and product design

Software & IT development

Industrial technology & automation

Medical and scientific technology

Tooling, machining, and fabrication

Consumer product development

Food processing & packaging innovation

Eligibility is determined by the technical nature of the work, not company size.

Who Qualifies for the R&D Tax Credit

Grove City companies may qualify when they perform activities such as:

Prototype creation and refinement

Early-stage technical analysis or feasibility studies

Material, performance, or durability testing

Improving production efficiency or system reliability

Enhancing product functionality

Certification or compliance testing

Equipment or tooling modifications

Developing or updating software

Implementing automation or control systems

Engineering analysis and data review

Using CAD or 3D modeling work

RCG determines how these activities align with federal R&D rules.

Steps to Claim Your R&D Tax Credit

  • 1. Identify qualifying activities

    RCG reviews your engineering, software, and development work.

  • 2. Gather supporting documentation

    We help collect engineering notes, test data, technical information, and qualified expense records.

  • 3. Document qualifying projects

    RCG prepares structured technical summaries using CrediTrak, our proprietary platform.

  • 4. Review qualified research expenses

    We evaluate wages, supplies, and contractor costs related to qualifying activities.

  • 5. Deliver audit ready documentation

    Your CPA receives a complete filing package.

  • 6. Provide clarification when needed

    If taxing authorities request more information, RCG responds using the documentation created during your engagement.

How the IRS Defines Qualified Research

Requirement Meaning
Permitted Purpose Improves function, performance, reliability, or quality.
Elimination of Uncertainty Resolves uncertainty about capability, method, or design.
Process of Experimentation Involves testing, modeling, prototyping, or evaluating alternatives.
Technological in Nature Relies on principles of engineering, physical sciences, biological sciences, or computer science.

RCG helps Grove City companies understand how their work aligns with these standards.

Documentation and Support

RCG prepares all documentation required for a compliant, audit-ready filing:

Project descriptions

Technical narratives

Engineering and testing details

Activity explanations

Qualified expense summaries

If taxing authorities request clarification, RCG responds using the materials created during your study.

How RCG Works With Your Grove City Team

Initial Review –   We learn about your operations and identify qualifying activities.

Technical Discussions –  Our specialists gather engineering, testing, and software development details.

CrediTrak Documentation –  We organize technical data and expenses through our proprietary platform.

Deliverables for Your CPA –  We provide an audit-ready documentation package.

Support if Questions Arise –  RCG supplies clarification whenever needed.

Common Misconceptions About the R&D Tax Credit

“We do not have a research lab.”

 Most qualifying work occurs in engineering, production, testing, or software environments.


“We are not a high-tech company.”

 Many Grove City manufacturers and service-based organizations qualify.


“We only improve existing products.”

 Enhancements qualify when technical evaluation or testing is involved.


“This credit is only for large corporations.”

 Small and mid-sized Grove City companies claim the credit every year.


“We do not develop new products.”

 Improvements to existing systems or processes qualify under federal guidelines.


“We already perform this work, so it probably does not count.”

 Evaluating alternatives, solving technical issues, and testing concepts often satisfy IRS requirements.

Why Grove City Companies Work With RCG

RCG combines accounting expertise, engineering understanding, and clear communication. Our team has performed thousands of R&D studies, giving us deep insight into how qualifying work occurs inside real operations.


We translate engineering, software development, testing, and production improvements into clean, accurate, audit-ready documentation that supports a compliant filing.

Start Your R&D Tax Credit Review

If your Grove City business is developing, testing, refining, or improving products or processes, you may qualify for the R&D Tax Credit. RCG evaluates your activities and prepares the documentation your CPA needs to file accurately.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are Grove City manufacturers strong candidates for the credit?

    Yes. Many improve tooling, production processes, materials, or quality.

  • Do Grove City software companies qualify?

    Yes. Software development often involves testing, iteration, and technical refinement.

  • Do engineering and product design firms qualify?

    Yes. Modeling, prototyping, analysis, and design improvements often meet IRS criteria.

  • Does process improvement qualify?

    Yes. Enhancements to reliability, efficiency, quality, or performance often qualify.

  • Do we need new products to qualify?

    No. Improvements to existing systems or production methods may qualify.

  • What documentation is required?

    Engineering notes, testing data, project details, and qualified expense records — all prepared in an audit-ready package by RCG.

  • What is the first step?

    A discussion with RCG to determine whether your activities meet IRS guidelines.

Our Serving Area

RCG assists clients in identifying and documenting available adoption assistance tax credits throughout the state of Ohio.