R&D Refund Calculation Examples

EXAMPLES OF R&D REFUND CALCULATIONS:

Example 1 – Pre-Revenue Company undertaking R&D

In Year 1 of operations a software startup company generates no income ( in the 2021 financial year ) but spends $1,000,000 in engaging contractors to help build the prototype of a new online game and several modifications (with 80% relating to R&D activities) & another $50,000 in setup and admin costs in the Year 1 2021 financial year.

What is the cash benefit of the R&D Tax Incentive on their spend in financial year 2021?
SOFTWARETECH PTY LTDTAX CALCULATION
Income $0
Less: R&D expenses$800,000
Less Deductible expenses (non-R&D)$250,000 (i.e $50k+20% of $1M)
Total Expenses$1,050,000
=Taxable income $0
Tax liabiltiy (26% company tax rate in 2021)$0
R&D Taxt Incentive Calculation:
Cash Refund (43.5% of R&D Expenses)$348,000

Example 2 – POST - REVENUE COMPANY UNDERTAKING R&D

In Year 2 the software development startup generates $750,000 in income (in the 2022 financial year) but also spends $450,000 on developer’s wages (including on-costs) to develop new online gaming technology to potentially on-sell to clients in the future. Their other expenses are $200,000 in overheads (such as admin, customer service & marketing).

How much is the cash refund benefit of their R&D Tax Incentive per the spend on R&D in financial year 2022?
SOFTWARETECH PTY LTDTAX CALCULATION
Income $750,000
Less: R&D expenses$450,000
Less Deductible expenses (non-R&D)$200,000
Total Expenses$650,000
=Taxable income $550,000(i.e $750-$200k)
Tax liabiltiy (26% company tax rate in 2021)$137,500
R&D Taxt Incentive Calculation:
Eligible R&D expenditure$450,000
Refundable Tax Offset (43.5%)$195,750
Net Cash Refund $58,250

When the company is making revenue of up to $20m, it receives a reduced cash refund because it generates a tax liability on the Taxable Income.

This often occurs where a company combines existing profit-making activities with R&D on new innovative activities.

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