R&D Tax Credits for Architecture, Engineering and MEP Firms
Design work where the answer wasn't known at the start can qualify. The catch is your contracts. We review them first.
We reply within one business day, Monday to Friday, US hours.
Often qualifies
Work that often qualifies
- Structural or foundation solutions for unusual loads, soils or sites
- MEP and electrical system design for new performance, efficiency or code challenges
- Energy modeling and iterative design to hit performance targets
- Developing new details, assemblies or design methods
- Building information modeling used to test design alternatives
Usually doesn't
What usually doesn't
- Routine design using standard details and known methods
- Permitting, code review and construction administration alone
- Projects where the client paid regardless of outcome and you kept no rights to the work
Costs
Costs that count
Wages of architects, engineers, designers and drafters for time on qualifying design work; 65% of US subconsultant costs where you bear the risk and keep rights; supplies used in testing.
Questions
Common questions
Either can. What matters is who bears the risk of the outcome, not how you're paid.
Not necessarily. You need to keep substantial rights to the results, which is why we review contracts first.
Find out in 15 minutes whether it's worth doing
Bring a rough idea of headcount and what your team worked on. We'll tell you whether there's a credit worth claiming and what the study involves.