For small businesses seeking to enhance cash flow and invest in growth, the research & development tax credit provides a powerful solution. Even so, for a lot of business owners, “R&D” still seems connected to scientific labs or digital startups. The fact is, many industries can make good use of the R&D tax credit and receive significant financial gain.
Our team at Renaissance Advisory guides businesses in making the most of tax deductions by finding suitable activities, deciding on tax credits and handling everything in between—we work on a contingency basis. Let’s go through how this works together and see what your business might gain.
What Is the R&D Tax Credit?
The research & development tax credit or Credit for Increasing Research Activities (Section 41 of the IRS Code), is a federal program offered to boost innovation and new development. If a business invests in product, process or software improvements, it can receive tax credit that lowers its federal tax liability by the same amount.
Key Features of the R&D Tax Credit:
- Applies across industries – From manufacturing to food production, construction, and architecture, many industries qualify.
- Covers past activity – Eligible for up to three years retroactively, which means you may receive a refund on taxes already paid.
- Delivers high ROI – Clients working with Renaissance Advisory typically recover $50,000–$500,000+ in eligible credits.
This isn’t a deduction—it’s a credit that directly reduces what you owe in taxes.
What Activities Qualify as R&D?
You might be surprised at what counts as research and development in the eyes of the IRS. At Renaissance Advisory, we help companies identify qualifying activities that are often hiding in plain sight.
Common qualifying activities include:
- Designing or testing new products
- Improving existing products or systems
- Developing custom software or internal tools
- Experimenting with materials or manufacturing methods
- Streamlining internal processes for better performance
Even if a project failed or wasn’t completed, it might still qualify for the research & development tax credit.
How Small Businesses Benefit from R&D Credits
For small businesses, accessing the R&D tax credit can be a game-changer. These tax breaks for small businesses can lead to:
- Immediate cash flow improvements
- More funds to reinvest in innovation or hiring
- Offset of payroll taxes, even if your company is not yet profitable
Businesses may also use the credit to reduce their alternative minimum tax or delay using it for as many as 20 years in the future.
Renaissance Advisory’s Proven Approach
At Renaissance Advisory, we specialize in unlocking value through smart tax strategies, and the R&D tax credit is one of the most underutilized tools in our arsenal.
Here’s how our process works:
1. Discovery and Consultation
We begin with a brief consultation to understand your business model and determine whether you’ve conducted qualifying activities within the past three years.
2. Technical Interview & Eligibility Assessment
Our specialists work with your team to document R&D efforts, costs, and supporting details. This step is designed to be minimally disruptive and efficient—you don’t need to gather years of documentation on your own.
3. Calculation and Documentation
We handle the heavy lifting, including:
- Calculating eligible wages and expenses
- Mapping costs to qualifying activities
- Preparing IRS-compliant documentation
4. Filing & Ongoing Support
We support your tax preparer or CPA by delivering the full credit package, ready to file. If the IRS has questions, we stand by your side every step of the way.
Best of all? Our service is 100% contingency-based—you pay nothing unless you receive savings.
Industries That Commonly Qualify
While most business owners assume the R&D credit is only for tech companies or engineering firms, the credit is far more accessible than many realize.
Qualifying industries often include:
- Manufacturing
- Software development
- Construction and engineering
- Architecture and design
- Food and beverage
- Agriculture
- Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
If your team is solving problems, improving processes, or creating custom solutions, chances are you’re doing R&D—and you deserve to benefit from the research & development tax credit.
Real Results: What Businesses Can Expect
At Renaissance Advisory, we’ve helped businesses recover hundreds of thousands of dollars using this credit, even those that never realized they were eligible.
Typical results include:
- $60,000 for a custom cabinet manufacturer streamlining fabrication processes
- $210,000 for a construction firm developing new energy-efficient methods
- $125,000 for a SaaS company creating proprietary internal platforms
Each of these clients accessed tax breaks for small businesses that they didn’t know existed, and reinvested those savings back into growth.
Why Partner with Renaissance Advisory?
We’re more than just tax consultants—we’re strategic advisors committed to helping you optimize your business finances.
Why small businesses choose Renaissance Advisory:
- Contingency-based model – No upfront fees, no risk
- 3-year lookback – Maximize your potential refund
- Cross-industry expertise – We know where to look for value
- IRS-compliant process – Full audit support and documentation
- Client-first approach – We act as a true partner, not just a vendor
We don’t selfishly aim to convince you to use us just once. We want to help you find a way to save money that supports your company’s continued success.
Don’t Leave Money on the Table
If your business is creating, building, testing, or improving, you’re likely eligible for significant tax breaks for small businesses through the R&D tax credit. This credit is more than just a reward—it’s a growth accelerator that can fund your next phase of innovation.
Renaissance Advisory helps you handle the difficult aspects of wealth planning. We’re here to make things easier for you, increase your success and help your business grow through smart plans.
Ready to See What You Qualify For?
Take the first step toward recovering funds your business has already earned.
Contact us here to Book your free 10-minute consultation with a Renaissance Advisory expert today.