The IRS Issues Revised R&D Tax Credit Instructions

The IRS Issues Revised R&D Tax Credit Instructions

On December 15th, the Internal Revenue Service issued an early release draft of instructions for IRS Form 6765 entitled “Credit for Increasing Research Activities”, to properly reflect legislation regarding the determination of qualified wages that impacts Lines 5 and 24 from the December of 2020 revision.

It should be duly recalled, pursuant to legislation enacted in December of 2020, wages for qualified services do not include:

  • Wages paid to or incurred for any employee after December 31, 2020 and before July 1, 2021, if the employer uses the same wages to claim the Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) on an employment tax return such as IRS Form 941 entitled “Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return”; and
  • Wages paid to or incurred for any employee generally after December 27, 2019 and before April 17, 2021, if the employer uses the same wages to claim the 2020 qualified disaster ERC on IRS Form 5884-A entitled “Employee Retention Credit for Employers Affected by Qualified Disasters”.

As a reminder, do not file draft forms and do not rely on draft forms, instructions, and / or publications for filing until finalized by the Service. The draft instructions for IRS Form 6765 can be reviewed at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-dft/i6765–dft.pdf The Service is also currently accepting comments in connection to the draft instructions at https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/comment-on-tax-forms-and-publications All tax filing forms and instructions are expected to be finalized by the Service before the end of January 2022.

Have a question on R&D Tax Credits? Contact Peter J Scalise.

About the Author
Peter J. Scalise serves as the National Partner-in-Charge of the Federal Tax Credits and Incentives Practice at SAX CPAs LLP. Peter is a highly distinguished member of the Accounting Today Top 100 Influencers and has approximately thirty years of progressive Big 4 and Top 100 public accounting firm experience developing, managing, and leading large scale tax advisory practices on a regional, national, and global level.
Peter also serves as a passionate philanthropist and a member of several Boards of Directors and Boards of Advisors for local, regional, and national charities in connection with poverty and hunger alleviation; economic development; environmental conservation; health and social services; supporting veteran and military service personnel along with preserving arts and cultural programs.

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