Exactera’s R&D tax credit experts recommend these R&D tax credit resolutions for 2025. Embrace them, and you can claim your credits confidently and reap the most reward.
Automate Processes with AI to Enhance Quantitative Reviews and Qualitative Drafting
By leveraging AI to automate processes, you can streamline workflows, reduce errors, and allow for faster, more reliable output. By integrating AI-driven tools, businesses can scale operations effectively and provide clients with precise calculations and polished, comprehensive reports in less time.
This resolution is a great idea for 2025 because it addresses the dual challenges of growing compliance demands and the need for heightened accuracy in deliverables. Automation not only frees up valuable human resources for higher-level, strategic tasks but it also ensures consistency and quality across all client-facing documents. Using enhanced software tools, the ability to analyze large datasets and generate contextually accurate write-ups, companies can elevate their service offerings and set new standards for excellence.
—Mohammed Amin, R&D Tax Credit Manager
Improve communication.
In 2025, make it a priority to enhance communication. Schedule regular check-ins with clients to understand their needs better, use collaborative tools to keep everyone on the same page, and be mindful of tone and clarity in written and verbal communications. By doing so, you can build stronger, more trusting relationships with your clients and create a more cohesive and productive team.
—Josue Ledesma, R&D Tax Credit Associate
Enhance Data Collection and Innovation in R&D Tax Credit Processes
In 2025, implement a more efficient system for tracking and documenting R&D activities to ensure compliance and maximize eligible credits. Improve upon this with each tax cycle. Adopt new software or tools that facilitate easier data collection and reporting to collecting information in a more contemporaneous fashion. Streamline internal processes so that time saved via efficiencies can be converted to time spent adding value to our clients.
—Mark McGee, Director, R&D Tax Incentives
Begin documenting R&D projects from the start of the year.
Contemporaneous data always provides the most accurate, detailed information. Why wait until after the year is done to try to think back to what took place many months ago? Keeping track of details for R&D projects, supporting documentation, the people involved, and any expenditures related to R&D efforts while the activities are taking place will help ease the burden on the back end. This will especially be important with the additional qualitative data necessary for the proposed changes to the 6765 on the horizon.
—Lori Townsend, Senior Manager, R&D Tax
Get Involved!
There is excitement in the R&D tax credit space for 2025! As Tax professionals, we are faced with significant change for the first time in over a decade, as the IRS has released a new draft Form 6765 Credit for Increasing Research Activities and related instructions. While these proposed changes are still in their infancy, the IRS is actively seeking taxpayer feedback using their Established Taxpayer Feedback Mailbox. This allows R&D tax credit filers and experts the opportunity to use their knowledge to try and directly influence the Internal Revenue Code for the better—with the hopes of trying to continue to grow domestic research and development efforts. The IRS has planned a press release to answer initial comments in the Spring of 2025, and we should all take action to try and enhance the Form in a fair and beneficial way for all those seeking to claim the credit.
—Josh Fattore, Senior Manager R&D
Communicate with Confidence and Clarity
Prioritize clear and effective communication in all tax-related interactions. Whether it’s explaining complex tax regulations to clients or staff, responding to inquiries from colleagues, or ensuring deadlines and expectations are clearly outlined, strong communication can be a game-changer.
Communication is the backbone of successful collaboration and trust-building in any professional environment, especially in tax where precision is critical. By focusing on clarity, you can reduce misunderstandings, improve efficiency, and enhance relationships. Take time to actively listen, use straightforward language, and follow up with written confirmations to ensure everyone is on the same page.
This resolution benefits the company as a whole. Communicating confidently can increase your credibility and make navigating the complexities of tax season smoother and more manageable.
—Victoria Elam, R&D Tax Credit Associate
Capitalize on the SME interviewing window.
Our client’s subject matter experts (“SME”) are the key individuals for providing documentation and the right level of details for qualifying R&D projects towards the tax credit. The time that they can devote to activities outside of their normal business operations and development work, such as R&D tax credit interviews and project survey submissions, is very limited. This is why it’s important to be quick with project documentation reviews and additional detail follow-up requests. Streamline the process for both parties and make the most of your interactions with the SMEs.
—Alexander Smalls, Associate, R&D
Improve Documentation Practices:
Given upcoming changes to the 6765 form, gathering contemporaneous documentation for your R&D claims is more important than ever. Some ways to get ahead of this include:
- Implementing a real-time documentation system to track qualified research activities and expenses.
- Using project management tools to record the time and resources spent on developing or improving products, processes, or software.
- Retain all supporting documents, including payroll records, supply costs, and contractor agreements.
— Nancy Nieto R&D Tax Manager
