Kettering R&D Tax Advisors

R&D Tax Credit Services for Kettering Businesses

Kettering businesses across manufacturing, engineering, software development, industrial technology, and product design regularly strengthen their processes, enhance systems, and develop improved solutions. Many of these activities align with the federal Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit, even for companies without formal research departments.


Since 2004, RCG has completed more than 25,000 R&D tax credit studies and helped organizations secure over $750 million in federal and state tax savings. Our team of CPAs, engineers, architects, and technical professionals works exclusively on R&D Tax Credits and Cost Segregation Studies. Companies in Kettering rely on RCG for accurate evaluation and audit ready documentation that supports a compliant filing.


Many businesses assume the credit is only for large companies. In reality, small and mid sized Kettering organizations perform qualifying technical work every day. RCG helps identify these activities and prepares the technical documentation needed for a proper filing.

What the R&D Tax Credit Is

The R&D Tax Credit is a federal incentive that supports engineering advancement, technical development, testing, prototyping, and system improvement. Qualifying activities in Kettering often take place during engineering meetings, production adjustments, software enhancements, and prototype creation.


Ohio also provides a state level incentive based on the company’s circumstances.

How the R&D Tax Credit Strengthens Your Kettering Business

Creates direct tax savings: Qualified research expenses generate federal and state benefits when applicable.

Allows credit capture for open tax years: Companies often secure credits for open years, typically the last three, creating immediate financial value.

Supports ongoing engineering and development work: Testing, design evaluation, and system refinement align with the purpose of the credit.

Supports eligible early stage companies: Qualifying small businesses can apply a portion of the credit toward payroll taxes under IRS rules.

Recognizes technical problem solving: Efforts that improve reliability, efficiency, performance, or functionality fit within qualified research standards.

RCG helps Kettering organizations understand how their work aligns with these requirements.

What the R&D Tax Credit Does for Kettering Operations

Kettering companies regularly carry out technical work through:

Engineering evaluations

Prototype creation and refinement

Material and performance testing

Software development and updates

Production efficiency improvements

When teams analyze alternatives, conduct testing, or refine processes, they often perform activities recognized under the R&D Tax Credit.


RCG organizes these details into a fully audit ready package for your CPA.

Sectors That Qualify for R&D Tax Incentives

Kettering organizations across a wide range of technical fields qualify for the R&D Tax Credit, including:

Manufacturing

Engineering and product design

Software and IT development

Fabrication and tooling

Industrial and scientific technology

Automation and control systems

Materials and production innovation

Specialized development services

Eligibility is determined by the technical nature of the work.

Who Qualifies for the R&D Tax Credit

Kettering companies qualify when they perform activities such as:

Engineering design and analysis

Prototype development and testing

Early stage feasibility work

Material and performance evaluation

Enhancing product reliability or system efficiency

Improving or redesigning equipment

Software development or system enhancement

Implementing automation and controls

Certification, regulatory, or compliance testing

Technical review meetings

Creating CAD or 3D models

Collecting and analyzing engineering data

RCG documents how these activities align with IRS guidelines.

Steps to Claim Your R&D Tax Credit

  • 1. Identify qualifying activities

    RCG reviews engineering, development, and improvement efforts.

  • 2. Gather technical and financial documentation

    We help collect engineering notes, testing data, project information, and qualified expense records.

  • 3. Document qualifying projects

    RCG prepares structured technical explanations through CrediTrak, our proprietary system.

  • 4. Evaluate qualified research expenses

    We review wages, supplies, and contractor costs tied to qualified activities.

  • 5. Deliver audit ready documentation

    We provide a complete documentation package to support accurate filing by your CPA.

  • 6. Provide clarification when needed

    RCG responds to taxing authorities using the detailed documentation prepared during the engagement.

How the IRS Defines Qualified Research

Requirement Meaning
Permitted Purpose Work improves function, performance, reliability, or quality.
Elimination of Uncertainty Teams resolve uncertainty related to capability, method, or design.
Process of Experimentation Work evaluates alternatives through testing, modeling, or structured analysis.
Technological in Nature Activities rely on engineering or scientific principles.

RCG helps Kettering businesses understand how their activities align with these requirements.

Documentation and Support

Accurate documentation is essential for a compliant R&D filing. RCG prepares:

Detailed project descriptions

Technical activity summaries

Engineering details and test information

Qualified expense records

If taxing authorities request additional details, RCG responds using the documentation created during your engagement.

How RCG Works With Your Elyria Team

Initial Review – We learn about your Kettering operations and identify qualifying technical work.

Technical Discussions – Our specialists gather detailed information about engineering, testing, and development activities.

CrediTrak Documentation – We organize project and expense information using RCG’s proprietary system.

Deliverables for Your CPA –  We prepare a complete, audit ready documentation package

Support if Questions Arise – RCG provides clarification when taxing authorities or your CPA request additional details.

Common Misconceptions About the R&D Tax Credit

“We do not have a research lab.”

Most qualifying work occurs in real production, engineering, and development environments.


“We are not a technology company.”

Many Kettering manufacturers and service based companies qualify.


“We only improve existing products.”

Technical improvements qualify when structured evaluation or testing is involved.


“This credit is only for large corporations.”

Small and mid sized companies consistently qualify.


“We do not build new products.”

Enhancements to existing systems, software, or processes qualify under IRS rules.


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

Engineering analysis, testing, and problem solving often qualify.

Why Kettering Companies Work With RCG

RCG combines accounting experience, engineering insight, and practical communication. Our specialists have completed thousands of R&D tax credit studies, giving us the experience to recognize qualifying activities quickly and document them clearly.


We understand how engineering development, testing, system refinement, and production improvement take place in real business environments. Our role is to convert that work into documentation that supports a compliant R&D Tax Credit filing.

Start Your R&D Tax Credit Review

If your Kettering company is building, improving, testing, or refining products or processes, you can qualify for the R&D Tax Credit. RCG evaluates your technical activities and prepares the documentation your CPA needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do Kettering manufacturers qualify for the R&D Tax Credit?

    Yes. Improvements to materials, processes, and production performance often qualify.

  • Do Kettering software companies qualify?

    Yes. Testing, development, and system improvements align with R&D requirements.

  • Do engineering and product design firms qualify?

    Yes. Modeling, prototyping, and design revisions frequently qualify.

  • Does the credit apply to process improvements?

    Yes. Enhancements to efficiency, reliability, or performance qualify when supported by technical evaluation.

  • Do we need to create new products?

    No. Improvements to existing systems and processes qualify.

  • What documentation is required?

    Engineering notes, technical details, testing information, and qualified expense records. RCG prepares a full audit ready documentation package.

  • What is the first step?

    A conversation with RCG to review your technical and development activities.

Our Serving Area

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