R&D Tax Credit Carryforward

What is a tax credit carryforward?

R&D tax credit carryforwards are credits that are captured in a given tax year, but carried forward to offset tax liability in future years. If a taxpayer generates more credits than can be used in a given tax year, the credits will carry back one year, and then carried forward for up to 20 years to offset tax liability in those years.

How does a carryforward work?

Depending upon the tax liability of the taxpayer in question, the entirety of a R&D tax credit may not be used in the tax year it was generated. If the entirety of a R&D credit is not utilized in the year it is generated, it will be carried back 1 year to the prior tax year, and then carried forward on a carry forward schedule for up to 20 years until it is used. It is imperative to assess a taxpayer’s tax liability and ability to use credits in prior years, as well as prospective years to determine how and when R&D credits will be of benefit. Endeavor Advisors aids taxpayers in assessing exactly how much of their activity qualifies as R&D, estimating and calculating credits, and providing outlook on when those credits will be used. The majority of companies use credits in the year they are generated, thus capitalizing on their R&D credits as an immediate reduction in tax liability.

How many years can you carryforward the R&D tax credit? 20 years.