Who Offers the Best-Value R&D Tax Credit Consulting?
Who offers the best-value R&D tax credit consulting in my area? That's a common question, and you should realize that a provider's worth encompasses more than what you pay.
Written By: BOSS Editorial
Reading Time: 11 minutes
The United States has federal and state tax credits that provide dollar-for-dollar reductions on qualifying research and development activities. They incentivize companies to develop new or improved products, processes and other aspects that increase competitiveness. However, authorities use a four-part test to determine eligible expenses. Applicants must identify and provide documentation for eligible costs when claiming credits.
The process can be time-consuming and complex, especially for business owners attempting it for the first time. However, R&D tax credit consultants can guide you through the process, increasing your chances of success.
Who offers the best-value R&D tax credit consulting in my area? That’s a common question, and you should realize that a provider’s worth encompasses more than what you pay. Their expertise, efficiency and ability to answer questions about your situation all impact the results. Knowing about the leading providers can improve your outcomes.
1. alliant
alliant has more than two decades of experience helping businesses remain resilient despite changes. R&D tax credits are important for that result because they help parties claim back expenses deemed necessary for competitive advancement
Consultants can partner with your CPA, working with that professional to maximize your benefits, ensure compliance and gather the required documentation. You can apply for R&D tax credits for the current tax year and three previous years, so your accountant may be a good initial resource for older paperwork you’ve filed.
The company’s dedicated portal contains clients’ projects, resources and reports, giving you a single place to access all those materials quickly. Because alliant has six specialized divisions, its professionals could become ongoing resources for your company as it grows and evolves. Whether you use this firm solely for R&D tax credit consulting or also require other services, alliant is a trustworthy choice.
Key Features
| Schedule a free consultation by choosing an available day from the online calendar. | This provider works with companies in more than 60 industries, allowing its professionals to have prior knowledge of how your operations may qualify. |
| Consultants consider current and future tax legislation in their recommendations, ensuring clients receive thorough information. | The firm’s team of over 1,000 experts includes five former IRS commissioners who ensure practices align with the latest regulatory guidance. |
2. Corporate Tax Advisors
Consultants at Corporate Tax Advisors uphold their mission to educate and advise clients about the appropriate tax credits, collaborating with them to achieve timely and accurate results. The United States taxation code can seem exceptionally complex, especially to business owners unfamiliar with its intricacies. However, consultants provide professional, personalized and attentive service to understand your company’s activities and whether they qualify.
The company’s founder spent 24 years in public accounting and recognized an unmet need for highly specialized services. Professionals deliver them by carefully gathering the documents that show credit eligibility, causing satisfying and impactful results. The process starts with determining whether you’re a candidate. The next steps for qualifying businesses are to run relevant analyses of activities and applicable expenses and complete the associated tax forms.
The consultants at Corporate Tax Advisors have more than 200 years of combined experience, which they have applied to over 1,000 successful results.
Key Features
| The firm offers on-demand R&D tax credit assistance, including partnering with your primary accounting firm. | Consultants will perform a tax credit study to determine if your R&D activities pass the four-part test. |
| This provider offers free initial consultations and only charges fees after quantifying clients’ state and federal credits. | Clients of Corporate Tax Advisors have collectively identified over $300 million in credits and incentives. |
3. MASSIE R&D Tax Credits
Consultants from MASSIE R&D Tax Credits aim to simplify the claims process for everyone by streamlining documentation, preparation and filing to generate the largest possible credits and enable more efficient audits.
This firm uses a proprietary, three-phase method that starts with developing a personalized approach that spotlights your company’s unique attributes. Next, those involved will introduce tools and processes to assist those submitting the tax credit forms. Finally, they will provide complete visibility into the overall progress and an accompanying final report. This detailed method provides the transparency and support you need to achieve the best outcomes.
These providers understand that needs vary depending on specific situations, including whether you have previously applied for R&D tax credits. That’s why they prioritize user-friendly assistance to minimize your workloads, regardless of the required services. Requesting a complimentary consultation is the first step to learning if these consultants can support your business by increasing the chances of positive results.
Key Features
| You can customize the level of consultant involvement, from full outsourcing to advising for your internal tax department. | Consultants use document mapping to keep all information readily accessible for quick retrieval. |
| Repeatedly recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies by industry publications. | The consulting team can handle audits on your behalf, applying their knowledge for additional peace of mind. |
4. Tri-Merit
Tri-Merit combines technical expertise and flexibility to assist owners of small and medium-sized businesses with applying for R&D tax credits and other appropriate incentives. The experienced consultants make the process easy and effective, allowing clients to concentrate on company operations and growth while claiming their entitlements.
Consultants have in-depth and current knowledge of IRS rules and regulations, making them well-prepared to assess your circumstances and find expenses eligible for the R&D tax credit. Additionally, depending on the needs highlighted during your discovery call, they can assist with specialty projects, train your team or provide support in other ways.
Tri-Merit applies a two-pronged consultation process that starts with extensive research and data-gathering efforts. The professionals will evaluate your business activities and expenses against IRS criteria to check compliance. Next, they systematically collect the required documentation to minimize disruption to your daily company operations.
Key Features
| Consultants will discuss the applicable credits upfront, enabling you to learn those relevant to your situation before deciding whether to enter into professional arrangements. | This firm will defend you during credit-related audits if needed. |
| The team respects your time by requiring minimal effort from you and offering free consultations. | Choose from three payment options, including spreading the cost over 12 months when invoices are at least $2,000. |
5. Cherry Bekaert
Cherry Bekaert is a nationally recognized and highly ranked accounting and advisory firm that has emphasized excellence and evolution since its founding in 1947. Its consultants use a technology-driven process centered on a proprietary tool that examines your organization’s activities to find qualified research expenses.
They also develop detailed work plans to guide the associated evaluation, get accurate results and provide extensive documentation to submit to the IRS. Unlike many firms that base fee structures on the identified credit potential, Cherry Bekaert develops an approach specific to your company and the number of tax years included in the analysis. This method usually results in lower fees compared to providers working on contingency.
In addition to giving complimentary consultations about federal and state R&D credits, this firm’s professionals can explore other opportunities, such as incentives related to capital investments or alternative energy sources.
Key Features
| This firm is a member of the Allinial Global network, which includes parties from 100+ countries who share expertise and experiences to improve client outcomes. | Cherry Bekaert has more than 2,000 employees focused on growth, innovation and leadership. |
| Consultants have an in-depth understanding of the current challenges clients face and offer up-to-date, relevant advice. | The consulting team uses a goal-oriented strategy when assessing your tax credit eligibility to find all appropriate expenses while formulating strong defenses against IRS audits. |
6. Global Tax Management (GTM)
Global Tax Management specializes in corporate tax services for midsize and Fortune 500 clients, collaborating fully with management and audit teams to optimize results. The firm’s efficiency-driven methodology minimizes your time commitment and examines lesser-known eligibility areas, ensuring you claim all available credits. During your initial consultation, professionals learn about your current situation and needs to maximize future value while explaining their processes.
GTM’s consultants work alongside your internal employees to gather evidence, complete forms and prepare documentation for the IRS. State-based options vary by operating location, but these experienced professionals understand and will clarify those intricacies for you.
They also give tailored support to your internal tax team, including assistance with ongoing core functions. Alternatively, you can request project-based expertise and benefit from GTM’s technology support and specialized resources. Regardless of the requested assistance, consultants work as extensions of internal employees. Corporate tax is their sole focus, and they use experience to relieve operational burdens.
Key Features
| A convenient online tool helps you estimate the return on investment from claiming R&D tax credits. | The available transitional and training assistance equips your company’s tax professionals to identify and claim future credit opportunities. |
| Support available for domestic and international incentives, making this firm ideal for multinational organizations. | Audit defense and exam appeal services offered to complement the claims process. |
7. NFP Compensation Consulting
The professionals from NFP Compensation Consulting apply a strategic and proven approach to maximize tax credits while minimizing risks. In addition to finding current credit-claiming opportunities, consultants examine historical data to allow you to file during the allowed lookback period. These detailed efforts let you claim all appropriate credits linked to business activities.
This firm has a long history of favorable tax regulator outcomes, emphasizing the professionals’ experience navigating tricky tax situations while working for clients’ best interests. These providers also stay abreast of new tax laws to provide the latest guidance.
Consultants work with your CPA, interview management and explain applicable IRS codes, ensuring you submit accurate and extensive documentation to support claims. They can also assist with other activities to optimize your tax position, including maximizing payroll and compensation deductions. Because the team has supported clients through over 100 IRS-related situations, they have the expertise to assist you, too.
Key Features
| This firm has saved millions of dollars for clients since 2014 as they have successfully recouped qualifying research expenditures. | Independent assessments and personalized recommendations help you succeed when claiming R&D credits. |
| Consultants work with public, private and nonprofit organizations, benefiting those entities with their forward-thinking support. | NFP Compensation Consulting has a proprietary tool to find the maximum credit value for each analyzed tax year. |
8. Aprio
Aprio serves clients within the United States and more than 50 countries, making it a good choice if you have a global company. Consultants apply a proven methodology to determine if the available tax credits apply to your company, leveraging their expertise for the best results.
They also work with your internal tax team or external CPA while calculating the credits and completing substantial associated evidence. Because many clients don’t initially know which expenses qualify for R&D tax credits, consultants take the time to learn about their business operations and identify all opportunities, optimizing the potential benefits.
Consultants substantiate all credit claims by linking them to the accompanying source documentation. They summarize the findings in a detailed executive report and can support you through IRS audits if required. This results-driven process has proven successful, even when tax regulators apply additional scrutiny. That track record can increase your confidence, especially as a first-time applicant for this tax incentive.
Key Features
| This firm has assisted clients in claiming more than $1.9 billion in state and federal tax credits. | You can pay for services in numerous ways, including wire transfers and cryptocurrency. |
| Consultants perform full-service studies to find eligible expenses and complete the necessary documentation. | Aprio has a five-step process that involves education, investigation, credit calculations and other activities to increase success. |
Methodology
Firms appeared on this list based on factors such as client testimonials, the number of years they have prepared R&D credit claims and an established history of working across various industries. The presence of offices throughout the United States and the availability of online meetings also influenced this assortment.
Who Offers the Best-Value R&D Tax Credit Consulting in My Area?
These are some of the top places to find skilled, experienced consultants to assist you in successfully applying for R&D tax credits. Most have multiple office locations, and some meet clients virtually, so getting guidance wherever you are is easy. Additionally, many firms allow you to choose the desired time and day for your free initial consultation, helping you fit that meeting into a busy schedule.
Devin Partida writes about investor technologies, big data and apps. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of ReHack.com.
