Lakewood R&D Tax Advisors

R&D Tax Credit Services for Lakewood, Ohio Businesses

Lakewood’s business community includes a mix of advanced manufacturing, engineering service firms, product design teams, and technology-driven companies working on process efficiency and system improvements every day. Many of these activities qualify for the federal Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit even when businesses do not maintain a formal lab or R&D department.


Since 2004, RCG has completed over 25,000 R&D tax credit studies and identified more than $750 million in federal and state tax savings. Our specialists CPAs, engineers, and technical analysts focus exclusively on R&D Tax Credits and Cost Segregation Studies.


Lakewood businesses rely on RCG to document qualifying activities clearly and deliver audit-ready, compliant filing support for their CPAs.


Many small and mid-sized companies are surprised to learn how often their engineering, testing, or software refinement work qualifies. RCG identifies these opportunities and prepares the technical documentation required for a secure filing.

What the R&D Tax Credit Is

The R&D Tax Credit rewards businesses for developing, refining, or improving products and processes. Lakewood companies do not need a research lab to qualify. Most eligible activities occur during ordinary engineering, design, testing, and software development projects.

Examples of qualifying effort include:


  • Solving technical challenges during production
  • Improving product performance or functionality
  • Refining workflows or manufacturing methods
  • Conducting prototype testing
  • Enhancing software systems or automation logic


Ohio also offers a state-level incentive for qualifying companies.

How the R&D Tax Credit Strengthens Your Lakewood Business

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

Improved cash flow:  Many companies claim credits for open tax years (typically the last three), providing immediate benefit when eligible.

Support for ongoing engineering and innovation: Testing, prototyping, evaluation, and software refinement qualify when technical uncertainty exists.

Payroll tax credit for eligible startups: Younger, early-stage companies may apply a portion of the credit against employer payroll taxes.

Recognition of technical problem-solving: The credit rewards the work performed to improve systems, products, or processes.

RCG evaluates Lakewood activities and prepares the documentation necessary for accurate filing.

What the Credit Can Do for Lakewood Operations

Lakewood companies frequently perform qualifying technical work while:

Testing prototypes or product variations

Enhancing production reliability or efficiency

Refining machining or assembly processes

Troubleshooting performance issues

Improving software systems or automation

Evaluating alternative materials or components

Many of these activities meet IRS requirements, even if the project did not achieve the intended result.

RCG documents these efforts in a clear, compliant format that supports your CPA during filing.

Sectors That Qualify for R&D Tax Incentives

Lakewood’s local economy includes diverse industries that often meet R&D requirements:

Manufacturing & Fabrication

Engineering & Product Design

Software & IT Development

Electronics & Device Assembly

Light Industrial & Automation

Eligibility is based on technical activity, not company size or industry label.

Who Qualifies for the R&D Tax Credit

Lakewood organizations often qualify when they perform:

Engineering evaluations

Prototype development and refinement

Early-stage feasibility testing

Material or performance testing

Production efficiency improvements

Software development or system upgrades

Equipment or tooling modifications

Automation and control system design

Engineering data review and analysis

CAD or 3D modeling work

RCG identifies which activities align with IRS guidelines.

Steps to Claim Your R&D Tax Credit

  • 1. Identify qualifying activities

    RCG reviews engineering, software, production, and testing work to find eligible technical efforts.

  • 2. Collect technical and financial documentation

    We gather engineering notes, testing details, and qualified wage and expense records.

  • 3. Document qualifying projects through CrediTrak

    RCG prepares structured project narratives that explain uncertainty, experimentation, and technological basis.

  • 4. Evaluate qualified research expenses

    We review wages, materials, and contractor costs to calculate accurate credit values.

  • 5. Deliver an audit-ready documentation package

    Your CPA receives all tax forms and a complete technical report.

  • 6. Provide clarification if needed

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

IRS Requirements (The Four-Part Test)

Requirement Meaning
Permitted Purpose Work aims to improve function, performance, reliability, or quality.
Elimination of Uncertainty The team resolves uncertainty around capability, method, or design.
Process of Experimentation Testing, modeling, analyzing alternatives, or prototyping occurs.
Technological in Nature Activities rely on engineering, physical sciences, biological sciences, or computer science.

Documentation and Support

RCG prepares:

Technical activity summaries

Project descriptions

Engineering/testing details

Qualified expense records

In the event of an inquiry, we provide clarification based on the audit-ready documentation we prepared.

How RCG Works With Your Lakewood Team

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

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

CrediTrak Documentation –  We organize project data and expenses clearly and accurately.

Deliverables for Your CPA –  You receive a complete audit-ready package for filing.

Common Misconceptions About the R&D Tax Credit

“We do not have a research lab.”

  Most qualifying work occurs in engineering offices, production environments, and software teams.


“We are not a high-tech company.”

  Many Lakewood manufacturers and service-based firms qualify.


“We only improve existing products.”

  Enhancements qualify when technical steps or testing are involved.


“This credit is only for large corporations.”

 Small and mid-sized companies qualify regularly.


“We already perform this work, so it probably doesn’t count.”

 Solving technical challenges is exactly what the IRS considers qualified research.

Why Lakewood Companies Work With RCG

RCG blends tax expertise with engineering insight.

Our specialists understand how product development, software refinement, testing, and production improvement occur in real operations. We translate technical activities into clear, compliant, audit-ready documentation that supports secure filings.

Start Your R&D Tax Credit Review

If your Lakewood business is developing, refining, testing, or improving products or processes, you may qualify for the R&D Tax Credit. RCG evaluates your activities and prepares the documentation required for accurate filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are Lakewood manufacturers strong candidates for the R&D Tax Credit?

    Yes. Many improve tooling, evaluate materials, enhance production efficiency, and troubleshoot technical challenges.

  • Do Lakewood software or IT companies qualify?

    Yes. Software development involving testing, refinement, or automation often meets IRS standards.

  • Do engineering and design firms qualify?

    Yes. Modeling, prototyping, and technical evaluation align with qualified research criteria.

  • Does process improvement qualify?

    Yes. Enhancing performance, reliability, quality, or efficiency often qualifies when technical steps are involved.

  • Do we need new products to qualify?

    No. Improvements to existing systems or processes may qualify.

  • What documentation is required?

    Engineering details, testing notes, technical records, and qualified expense summaries. RCG prepares the full audit-ready package.

Our Serving Area

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