Upper Arlington R&D Tax Advisors
R&D Tax Credit
R&D Tax Credit Services for Upper Arlington, Ohio Businesses
Upper Arlington businesses across engineering, software, manufacturing support, product development, medical technology, and industrial services regularly improve systems, refine processes, enhance performance, and solve technical challenges. These activities often qualify for the federal Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit, even without a formal research department.
RCG has completed more than 25,000 R&D tax credit studies since 2004, identifying over $750 million in federal and state tax savings. Our team includes CPAs, engineers, architects, technical specialists, and tax professionals who work exclusively on R&D Tax Credits and Cost Segregation Studies. Upper Arlington organizations rely on RCG for accurate, organized, audit-ready documentation.
Many companies assume the credit applies only to large technology-driven businesses. In reality, small and mid-sized Upper Arlington companies frequently perform qualifying work. RCG identifies these activities and prepares the documentation your CPA needs for accurate filing.
What the R&D Tax Credit Is
The R&D Tax Credit is a federal incentive designed to support engineering development, testing, software improvement, product enhancement, and process refinement. Upper Arlington companies do not need a research lab to qualify. Many eligible activities occur 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 Upper Arlington Business
Reduced tax liability: Qualified research expenses generate federal and, when applicable, state tax savings.
Improved cash flow: Companies can often capture credits for open tax years (typically the last three years), providing immediate financial benefit when eligible.
Support for ongoing development and refinement: Testing, prototyping, design adjustments, and software improvement frequently qualify when technical steps are involved.
Potential payroll tax benefit for eligible small businesses: Some early-stage companies apply a portion of the federal credit toward payroll taxes.
Recognition for engineering and technical advancement: Work that improves products, systems, software, or processes aligns with the intent of the R&D Tax Credit.
RCG evaluates Upper Arlington activities and prepares documentation aligned with IRS requirements.
What the R&D Tax Credit Can Do for Your Upper Arlington Operations
Upper Arlington organizations often engage in engineering analysis, prototype testing, software development, system refinement, and production improvement. When teams test concepts, evaluate alternatives, improve reliability, or refine processes, they often perform qualifying technical work.
RCG reviews these activities, interprets the technical details, and prepares complete audit-ready documentation. Businesses may also capture credits for open tax years, strengthening financial performance.
Sectors That Qualify for R&D Tax Incentives
Upper Arlington companies across many development-focused sectors may qualify, including:
Engineering and product design
Software & IT development
Manufacturing support & industrial services
Medical and scientific technology
Consumer product development
Technical consulting
Automation and system integration
Eligibility depends on the technical nature of the work, not the size of the organization.
Who Qualifies for the R&D Tax Credit
Upper Arlington businesses may qualify when they perform activities such as:
Engineering evaluation
Prototype creation and refinement
Feasibility testing and early-stage analysis
Material, system, or performance testing
Improving production efficiency or reliability
Enhancing product or system functionality
Certification or compliance testing
Modifying equipment or processes
Developing or updating software
Implementing automation or control systems
Reviewing engineering or test data
Using CAD or 3D modeling tools
RCG determines how these activities align with IRS requirements.
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 records, and qualified expense information.
3. Document qualifying projects
RCG prepares structured technical summaries using CrediTrak.
4. Review qualified research expenses
We evaluate wages, supplies, and contractor costs tied to qualifying activities.
5. Deliver audit-ready documentation
Your CPA receives a complete filing package.
6. Provide clarification when needed
RCG responds to taxing authorities using the documentation prepared during your 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 includes testing, modeling, prototyping, or evaluating alternatives. |
| Technological in Nature | Activities rely on engineering, science, or computer science. |
RCG helps Upper Arlington companies understand how their activities meet these federal standards.
Documentation and Support
RCG prepares the detailed documentation required for accurate filing, including:
Project descriptions
Technical summaries
Engineering/testing details
Qualified expense records
If taxing authorities request clarification, RCG provides responses using the documentation created during your engagement.
How RCG Works With Your Upper Arlington Team
Initial Review –
We learn about your Upper Arlington operations and identify potential qualifying activities.
Technical Discussions – Our specialists gather engineering, software, production, and testing details.
CrediTrak Documentation –
We organize all technical and expense data through RCG’s proprietary platform.
Deliverables for Your CPA –
We prepare a complete audit-ready documentation package.
Support if Questions Arise –
RCG provides clarification when 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, or software environments.
“We are not a high-tech company.”
Many Upper Arlington manufacturers, engineering groups, and service-based organizations qualify.
“We only improve existing products.”
Enhancements qualify when testing or structured evaluation is involved.
“This credit is only for large corporations.”
Small and mid-sized Upper Arlington companies qualify regularly.
“We do not develop new products.”
Improvements to existing systems or production methods qualify under federal guidelines.
“We already perform this work, so it probably does not count.”
Improvements to existing systems orEvaluating alternatives, solving engineering problems, and testing concepts often meet IRS criteria. production methods qualify under federal guidelines.
Why Upper Arlington Companies Work With RCG
RCG combines accounting expertise, engineering insight, and clear communication. Our specialists have completed thousands of R&D tax credit studies, giving us a strong understanding of how qualifying activities occur in real business environments.
We translate engineering development, software refinement, production improvement, and testing activity into clear, audit-ready documentation that supports compliant R&D Tax Credit filings.
Start Your R&D Tax Credit Review
Serving Upper Arlington and the greater Columbus region, RCG helps businesses determine eligibility and prepare fully documented, audit-ready R&D Tax Credit packages. If your company is developing, testing, refining, or improving products or processes, you may qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Upper Arlington manufacturers strong candidates for the R&D Tax Credit?
Yes. Many enhance production processes, refine tooling, test materials, and improve quality.
Do Upper Arlington software and IT companies qualify?
Yes. Software development often involves testing, refinement, and structured evaluation.
Do engineering and design firms qualify?
Yes. Modeling, prototyping, analysis, and design refinement commonly align with IRS requirements.
Does the credit apply to process improvements?
Yes. Enhancing reliability, performance, efficiency, or quality frequently qualifies.
Do we need new products to qualify?
No. Improvements to existing systems or production methods qualify.
What documentation is required?
Engineering notes, testing records, technical documents, project descriptions, and qualified expense data.
RCG prepares the full audit-ready package.
What is the first step?
A conversation with RCG to determine how your activities align with IRS expectations.
Our Serving Area
RCG assists clients in identifying and documenting available adoption assistance tax credits throughout the state of Ohio.
