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How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Revamps R&D Tax Strategies

The landscape of research and development (R&D) tax strategies has been significantly altered with the introduction of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). This legislation, enacted on July 4, 2025, marks a pivotal shift in how domestic Research and Experimental (R&E) expenditures are handled under U.S. tax law.

For years, the ability for businesses to deduct R&E expenses has been a crucial component of incentivizing innovation. With the passing of the OBBBA, businesses can return to the practice of immediately deducting these expenditures, a strategy that was disrupted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017.

Understanding R&E Expenditures
R&E costs, commonly referred to as R&D costs, are integral to fostering innovation. These costs encompass expenses related to product development, including software innovations. Generally, these expenses include:

  • Wages for employees engaged in research activities.

  • Materials and supplies consumed in these processes.

  • Third-party contractor expenses for R&D services.

  • Overhead costs such as rent, utilities, and equipment repairs tied to R&D.

By design, the IRS has defined these categories broadly to encourage diverse and inventive endeavors.

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A Historic Overview of R&E Expensing
Prior to the amendments prompted by TCJA, businesses enjoyed options under former Section 174 to either fully deduct R&E costs as they were incurred or to amortize them over at least 60 months. This proved especially beneficial for businesses deeply entrenched in constant innovation.

However, the TCJA enforced a mandatory capitalization and a five-year amortization period for domestic research expenses (and 15 years for foreign expenses), which proved burdensome to many businesses, especially startups and early-stage ventures.

Impacts of the OBBBA on R&E Expensing
With the OBBBA, a new Section 174A emerges, particularly favoring U.S.-based R&D activities.

  • Domestic R&E Expenditures: Businesses can now once again fully deduct domestic R&D costs in the year they are incurred, unlike the previous mandate. This reinstates the pre-2022 treatment and should motivate businesses to focus their research efforts within U.S. borders. Alternatively, businesses may still opt to amortize these costs over a period of 60 months or more if they choose.

  • Foreign R&E Expenditures: The stringent 15-year capitalization requirement set by TCJA remains in place for foreign research, with no immediate recovery options for disposed or abandoned properties after May 12, 2025. This distinction between domestic and foreign research could steer multinational companies to optimize the location of their research centers.

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Options to Accelerate Previously Amortized Expenses
The OBBBA addresses transition relief for R&E costs capitalized during the 2022-2024 period. Businesses can now choose among several options to accelerate deduction of these costs starting in the 2025 tax year:

  • Full Expensing in 2025: Elect to deduct all remaining unamortized costs in the initial 2025 tax year.

  • Two-Year Amortization: Spread deductions evenly across the 2025 and 2026 tax years.

  • Continuous Amortization: Keep amortizing costs over the original five-year timespan.

Additionally, eligible small businesses, defined by gross receipts criteria, have the option to retroactively apply full expensing to tax years beginning post-2021 by amending past returns. This move aims to align these businesses better with the revised tax framework and maximize their refunds.

Strategic Considerations for Small Businesses
Given the interaction of these provisions with other tax elements like NOLs and business interest deductions, Express Tax Center recommends that businesses model a variety of outcomes. Optimizing the strategy based on individual business profiles will ensure maximized benefits, aligning with our goal to help businesses keep more of what they earn while reducing their tax liabilities. Our team can provide clarity and direction for your optimal tax strategy, ensuring you're fully aligned with the newest tax codes.

For personalized strategy evaluation and planning, reach out to Express Tax Center today. Our expert team will guide you in navigating these changes to enhance both tax savings and compliance.

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Schedule a Tax & Bookkeeping Strategy Appointment
Meet with a tax and bookkeeping professional who can review your situation, answer your questions, and provide clear recommendations tailored to you and your business. Full payment for this session will be applied toward your first month of ongoing services if you choose to work with us.
Book My Strategy Appointment
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