The Balanced Risk
To kick off our blog, I thought I would discuss the balanced risk associated with accessing the R&D Tax Incentive program.
The R&D Tax Incentive program is a tax based program which companies are entitled to claim each year.
It is not a Grant. It is self assessment much like a company's income tax return or an individual's income tax return. A positive is that you have more short term certainty that any funding will be received. However, longer term, claims may be audited, and there is the risk that a company may have to pay back amounts received including interest and penalties, if applicable.
Just because you have been receiving funds under the R&D Tax Incentive for a number of years successfully does not mean that claims made have been accepted as valid. In fact, the longer you have been claiming under the program, the higher the risk of an AusIndustry or ATO review occurring.
AusIndustry reviews are common, with a company typically reviewed once every four years. Greater focus is typically placed on first year claimants, and particular claim types such as software development. ATO reviews are increasing. Key focus areas include refundable R&D Tax Offset claims, software development claims, and legislative integrity provisions such as "payment to associates".
Contemporaneous substantiating documentation is critical and sought by both regulators.
From successfully passing a review, comes greater comfort.
SO ARE YOU AUDIT READY?
At RSF Consulting, we offer claimants a no obligation, free "Health Check" review. This can provide you with peace of mind and comfort surrounding existing claims. The review will look at past claims focusing on:
claim risks and recommendations on how these may be reduced,
where additional value exists, which may be accessed, and
where the process of making a claim can be made more efficient.
This is carried out at no cost to you. The process does not require significant input from company personnel, and focuses on reviewing existing claim related documentation.
TALK TO US TODAY ABOUT HOW OUR “HEALTH CHECK” CAN WORK FOR YOU.