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How the OBBBA Elevates R&D Tax Strategies for U.S. Enterprises

Research and Experimental (R&D) expenditures have long been the backbone of innovation across diverse sectors. Historically, tax policies have favored businesses engaging in R&D activities by allowing these costs to reduce taxable income directly, hence serving as critical incentives for innovation.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted on July 4, 2025, permanently reinstates the immediate deduction of domestic Research and Experimental (R&D) expenditures, a major reversal from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. This legislative change, encapsulated in the new Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 174A, reaffirms support for U.S.-based innovation, albeit maintaining stringent capitalization rules for foreign R&D initiatives.

Defining R&D Expenses
R&D expenses, often synonymous with R&D costs, typically cover costs related to product development or enhancement, including software. Key expenses are:

  • Employee wages for research staff.

  • Material and supply costs used in research.

  • Third-party contract research services.

  • Facility-related overhead costs, such as rent, utilities, insurance, and maintenance for R&D spaces.

According to the IRS, these broad definitions aim to bolster diverse innovative activities.

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A Brief on R&D Expensing
Until the TCJA amendments took effect after December 31, 2021, businesses could either deduct R&D expenses immediately in the year they were incurred or amortize them over a span of at least 60 months under former Section 174. This was particularly beneficial for cash flow in innovation-centered businesses.

The TCJA, from 2022, mandated all R&D expenditures be capitalized, thereby spreading deductions over five years for domestic and fifteen years for international research, raising cash tax burdens, particularly for startups and early-stage ventures facing substantial upfront R&D costs.

R&D Expensing Post-OBBBA
Effective for fiscal years commencing after December 31, 2024, the OBBBA introduces a pivotal shift with Section 174A for domestic R&D activities.

Domestic vs. Foreign R&D
Under the OBBBA, differentiation based on location becomes pronounced:

  • Domestic R&D Costs: Taxpayers can fully deduct these expenses immediately within the fiscal year they incur them, reviving advantageous treatment pre-2022 and strongly incentivizing domestic research. However, businesses may still opt for capitalization and amortization over at least 60 months.
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    Foreign R&D Costs: The 15-year capitalization rule persists for research activities conducted offshore. Moreover, post May 12, 2025, the OBBBA prohibits immediate recovery of any unamortized foreign R&D basis upon disposal or cessation, prompting multinationals to reevaluate research locales to optimize tax savings.

Accelerating Capitalized Costs
The OBBBA provides significant transitional relief for R&D expenses capitalized under the previous TCJA framework within 2022-2024. Taxpayers holding unamortized domestic R&D costs from this phase can expedite deductions from tax years starting post-December 31, 2024:

  • Option 1: Full Deduction in 2025: Utilize the entire unamortized domestic R&D costs in the initial tax year post-December 2024.
  • Option 2: Two-Year Amortization: Opt for deduction over two years, 50% each in 2025 and 2026.
  • Option 3: Continued Amortization: Maintain the original five-year amortization schedule.
  • For Eligible Small Businesses: With average gross receipts of no more than $31 million across the prior three years, an additional option exists:
    • Amended Returns for Retroactive Expensing: Permit application of full expensing rules retroactively for years post-December 31, 2021, by amending returns to claim refunds. This should coincide with R&D tax credit adjustments under Section 280C(c), which may necessitate a credit reduction. The deadline for this election is July 4, 2026.

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Interlinking With Other Tax Provisions
The revamped R&D expensing stipulations intersect substantially with other Tax Code components such as net operating losses, bonus depreciation, business interest limitations, and international tax for larger corporations. Those implementing the new policies should comprehensively model them against other deductions actionable in 2025 to unearth strategic gains in tax liability reductions.

Accounting Transition
The transitional policies under OBBBA are regarded as an automatic accounting method change, easing compliance. This provision allows businesses to "catch-up" on prior deductions, significantly easing cash flows from former capitalization mandates. The IRS issued initial guidance (Rev Proc 2025-28) for taxpayers to enact these changes via a statement attachment on returns, sidestepping Form 3115, Application for Change in Accounting Method.

Our office is available for consultations to model the available options and determine the optimal strategy tailored to your unique circumstances, considering interplays with the likes of Net Operating Loss rules and business interest deductions.

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