Research and development (R&D) tax credits are a great way for businesses to recoup some of the costs associated with innovation. But what happens if you don’t use all your credits in a single year? Don’t worry! The US tax code has you covered.
Carry Forward, Reap the Rewards Later
The beauty of R&D tax credits is that they are flexible. Imagine you have a banner year for innovation, but your tax liability isn't high enough to use all the credits. If this happens, the unused portion can be carried forward for up to 20 years. This means you can claim those credits in future years when your tax burden is higher.
Quick Tip: Check for Payroll Tax Offsets
For qualified small businesses, there's an additional perk. A portion of your R&D credit can be used to offset payroll taxes. If this credit exceeds your payroll tax liability in a specific quarter, it gets carried forward from quarter to quarter, again for a maximum of 20 years.
The Takeaway
Unused R&D tax credits aren't lost, they're simply filed away for future use. This gives you valuable flexibility in managing your tax obligations.
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