How the R&D credit applies to Tampa businesses
The federal R&D tax credit rewards work that tries to solve a technical problem through design and testing. In Tampa that work shows up in software companies, medical device and life sciences teams, engineering firms and manufacturers, usually without anyone calling it research.
The credit is claimed on the federal return, so the rules are the same in Hillsborough County as anywhere else in the country. Many Tampa companies are S corporations or LLCs, so the credit passes through to the owners and your CPA files it with the return.
Work we often see in and around Tampa
Software and technology: new products, automation and data systems
Medical device and life sciences: device design, prototyping and testing
Engineering and architecture: new designs, simulation and custom technical solutions
Manufacturers: new or improved products and production methods
Work that often qualifies
Building new features or products where the design is not obvious
Prototyping and testing a new device or component
Developing automation or data pipelines that replace manual work
Engineering a custom solution for a client project you carry the risk on
Trying new materials or methods and keeping the notes on what failed
Work that usually does not
Routine maintenance and bug fixes with a known solution
Work a client fully funds and owns, with no risk to you
Market research and cosmetic changes
Costs that count
Wages for the people doing the work, supplies used in testing and a share of outside contractor costs can count when they tie to a qualifying project. We match each cost to a project so your CPA has a file that holds up if the IRS asks.
What to bring to a screening
A list of products and projects from the last few years
Who worked on them and roughly how much time they spent
Test results, tickets, drawings or notes that show the work
Payroll totals for the people involved
Based in Sarasota, we work with Tampa and the rest of Tampa Bay, and with businesses elsewhere in Florida and the United States.
Find out what your work has earned
Free 5 to 10 minute screening. See which of your projects can earn a credit.
Why us
Why businesses choose Strategic Incentive
We are a Sarasota firm that pairs R&D credit specialists with a practicing CPA, so every study is built for the return it feeds.
A CPA partner behind every study
A practicing CPA is part of our team, so the work is built for the return it feeds.
Project-level documentation
Each qualifying project is documented on its own, not covered by boilerplate.
An audit-ready file
Your CPA gets the calculations, narratives and records in one organized package.
How it works
How a study works
Four steps from the first screening to a filed, audit-ready claim.
1
Free screening
A 5 to 10 minute screening based on the IRS four-part test. We review your answers and estimate whether a credit is likely.
2
Discovery interview
A guided conversation and a questionnaire built for your business document each qualifying project.
3
Calculation
We calculate the credit and prepare Form 6765 support, project narratives and employee time allocations.
4
CPA hand-off
We work with your CPA or tax preparer and hand over an audit-ready package. If the IRS asks questions, we respond.
FAQ
Common questions
Straight answers before you start a screening.