Companies preparing R&D Tax Incentive claims need to be aware of rules that prevent “double-dipping” when they have received grants or other recoupments for the R&D activities being claimed.

An AAT decision handed down in December 2023 found activities relating to the development of a customised basketball shoe to suit the requirements of an Australian professional basketball player were neither core nor supporting activities, within the meaning of the relevant legal provisions.

The ATO is set to publish detailed information on R&D tax incentive claims submitted by R&D entities. The initiative aims to enhance transparency, shed light on the benefits derived by companies, and encourage voluntary compliance with the R&D program.

The ATO has a special gift for R&D tax claimants this season – two new Taxpayer Alerts as a reminder to ensure compliance with some of the more complex areas of the program.

The R&D Tax Incentive program is broad based and covers a diverse range of industries and experimental work. But there is a selection of activities that are excluded from being registered as core R&D activities under the program.

Can I claim my patent costs as R&D expenditure?

Public spending on the non-refundable stream of the R&D tax program has decreased significantly over the past 10 years. What explanations can be offered for this decrease and is it something we should worry about?