Certain companies can claim a tax offset for expenditure incurred on R&D activities. The aim of this offset is to encourage companies to invest in R&D work to create new or improved materials, products, devices, processes and services.
To be entitled to claim the applicable R&D incentive in a company tax return for the year ended 30 June 2016, the company must register its R&D activities with Ausindustry by 1 May 2017 (because 30 April 2017 is a Sunday). We can assist you with this registration process.
Lodging your registration on time may give rise to the following benefits for you:
- a cash injection (e.g. a cash rebate equal to 45% of the amount spent on R&D activities) for companies that have a turnover of less than $20 million a year; or
- a non-refundable tax offset of 40% for companies with a turnover of $20 million or more a year (i.e. the offset reduces tax payable and therefore can only be used in years the company has taxable income).
This is the last year that the offset can be claimed at this high rate. From the 2017 income tax year, the amount of the offset will be reduced by 1.5% (i.e. the 45% offset will become 43.5% and the 40% offset will become 38.5%).
What follows is a concise overview of how the R&D offset operates – our hope is that through this alert, Nexia Australia will provide you with more practical information so that we can continue our conversation with you about the potential R&D opportunities that may be available for you or your business.
Overview
R&D relief is provided in Australia through a tax based incentive program whereby the Australian Government provides companies with a cash rebate or tax offset (as opposed to a tax deduction) if they conduct eligible R&D activities and spend at least $20,000 on such R&D activities.
However, the size and nature of the offset and concessions differ depending on the turnover of the company as well as the amount of R&D expenditure incurred.
Clients conducting R&D activities through non-corporate / non-company structures may therefore want to consider incorporating their business structures or re-arranging in which structure they conduct R&D activities, because the incentive is NOT available to businesses conducting R&D activities through trusts, partnerships or as individuals.
The incentive is generally only available for R&D activities conducted in Australia, but in certain circumstances, R&D activities conducted outside Australia may qualify if the overseas activities have a significant scientific link to core R&D activities conducted in Australia and are not able to be conducted in Australia.
How does the R&D offset work?
Subject to the conditions mentioned below, a company can claim in its tax return for the year ended 30 June 2016 a tax offset for deductions such as expenditure incurred on eligible R&D activities and for the decline in value (and balancing adjustments) of depreciating assets used in R&D activities provided the $20,000 expenditure requirement is met.
The size and the nature of the offset depend upon the company’s turnover and the amount of R&D expenditure incurred by the company:
- For R&D expenditure up to $100 million:
- A company with a group turnover of less than $20 million can qualify for a 45% refundable offset (i.e. such smaller companies can receive a cash refund equal to 45% of the amount spent on eligible R&D activities, regardless of whether they are in a loss position or not); and
- A company with a group turnover of $20 million or more can qualify for a 40% non-refundable offset against tax payable (i.e. such companies which are in a loss position can carry forward their 40% offset to be deducted against tax payable in later years when they have a taxable income) .
- For R&D expenditure in excess of $100 million regardless of turnover, the tax offset will be limited to the company tax rate (i.e. 30%).
The 45% refundable offset available to smaller companies can therefore provide a cash injection to help start-ups that are often cash-strapped – for example, a startup company that is in a loss position for tax purposes which spends $1 million on R&D will receive a $450,000 cash refund under this incentive.
From the year ending 30 June 2017 onwards1, the percentage of the tax incentive for the first $100 million of eligible expenditure will be reduced by 1.5%, which means that:
- the 45% offset will become 43.5%; and
- the 40% offset will become 38.5%.
Expenditure in excess of $100 million will remain subject to a 30% offset.
What are eligible R&D activities?
Broadly, eligible R&D activities will create new or improved materials, products, devices, processes or services and can consist of either:
- Core R&D activities (broadly systematic experimental activities conducted for the purpose2 of generating new knowledge); or
- Supporting R&D activities (broadly activities that relate to the core R&D activities).
Companies should meticulously document3 how they are conducting their R&D activities as well as keep records of their observations, evaluations and conclusions resulting from these activities.
Some examples of activities that are not core R&D activities (but may be supporting R&D activities) include:
- Reverse engineering or developing computer software for internal administration;
- Market research, management studies or research in humanities, social sciences or arts; or
- Mineral exploration or activities to comply with statutory requirements or standards.
What are the formalities to claim the R&D offset?
A company wanting to claim the R&D offset for an income tax year must lodge its registration with Innovation Australia through AusIndustry within 10 months after year end.
This means that if a company conducted eligible R&D activities during the year ended 30 June 2016 the company must lodge its registration with Ausindustry by 30 April 2017 (note however that since 30 April 2017 falls on a Sunday, companies will be able to lodge until midnight on Monday, 1 May 2017).
To register, the company must provide details of all its R&D projects and core and supporting activities undertaken in the income tax year. The company must keep detailed records describing each activity, planned objectives and the actual outcome in order to prove its eligibility in the event of a review or audit.
Once the company is registered, the R&D tax offset is claimed when the annual income tax return is lodged – that return must contain an R&D schedule. That schedule will contain details of all expenditure related to each R&D activity (e.g. even the wages of laboratory assistants, overheads relating to the R&D activity and consumables used in the process). Importantly, the company must maintain detailed records (e.g. time sheets for staff costs) of all its R&D expenditure.
How can Nexia Edwards Marshall NT help you?
Nexia Edwards Marshall NT has the necessary skills and experience to assist you with all of your R&D claims and record-keeping requirements to ensure your company has the best chance of qualifying for this valuable incentive.
We can assess the eligibility of a company’s business and projects (e.g. determine whether their activities are core or supporting R&D activities) and register the R&D activities with AusIndustry by 1 May 2017 (in lieu of 30 April 2017) so that when the company lodges its company tax return and R&D schedule, the correct tax offset/refund may be claimed from the ATO.
Checking with us whether any of your activities may qualify for the R&D offset could be financially rewarding.
Please contact Sarah McEachern or your Nexia Edwards Marshall NT Adviser if you would like to discuss how any of the issues mentioned above may affect your company so that we can identify R&D risks and opportunities for you.
1 – The Budget Savings (Omnibus) Act 2016 received Royal Assent on 16 September 2016
2 – In JLSP and Innovation Australia ([2016] AATA 23), the Administrative Appeals Tribunal held that such a purpose does not need to be the dominant or prevailing purpose – however, it must be substantial enough for the activity to be characterised as conducted for that purpose (i.e. to generate new knowledge).
3 – In Docklands Science ([2016] AATA 973), certain projects were held to be non-R&D activities because the taxpayer did not have adequate contemporaneous documentation to prove that experiments had been undertaken.
The material contained in this publication is for general information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice or recommendation from Nexia Edwards Marshall. Regarding any situation or circumstance, specific professional advice should be sought on any particular matter by contacting your Nexia Edwards Marshall Advisor.
