Here at New Product Consulting we are always on the lookout for anything that can benefit our clients.  Below is some information on getting a tax deduction for the research and development of your invention.

Research & Development expenditures generally include all expenditures incident to the
development or improvement of a product.  R&D expenditures include the
expenditures of obtaining a patent, such as attorney’s fees expended in
making and perfecting a patent application.

Here’s more from the IRS website:

The expenditures of Research and Development (“R&D”) are reasonable costs you incur in your trade or business for activities intended to provide information to help eliminate uncertainty about the development or improvement of a product. Uncertainty exists if the information available to you does not establish how to develop or improve a product or the appropriate design of a product.Whether expenditures qualify as R&D expenditures depends on the nature of the activity to which the expenditures relate. Neither the nature of the product (or improvement) being developed, nor the level of technological advancement matters when making this determination. 

R&D expenditures generally include all expenditures incident to the development or improvement of a product. R&D expenditures include the expenditures of obtaining a patent, such as attorney’s fees expended in making and perfecting a patent application.

Product

The term “product” includes any the following:

  • Formula
  • Invention
  • Patent
  • Pilot Model
  • Process
  • Technique
  • Similar Property

Expenditures Not Included

R&D expenditures do not include expenditures for any of the following:

  • Quality control testing
  • Advertising or promotions
  • Consumer surveys
  • Efficiency surveys
  • Management studies
  • Research in connection with literary, historical, or similar projects
  • The acquisition of another’s patent, model, production, or process

When And How To Choose

Generally, you can only make the choice to deduct R&D expenditures in the first year you incur such expenditures.

You choose to deduct R&D expenditures, rather than capitalizing them, by deducting them on your tax return for the year you first have R&D expenditures.

If you fail to choose the method for the first taxable year in which you incur such expenditures, you cannot do so in the subsequent taxable years unless you obtain the consent of the Commissioner.

For a FREE consultation on getting started with your invention or to ask more questions about the above article please visit us at New Product Consulting!