Treasury Regulations on the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit Updated to Reflect Changes to Controlled Group Allocation Rules in the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012
DALLAS, April 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 3, 2015, the U.S. Treasury Department published final and temporary regulations that provide taxpayer guidance on the allocation of research and experimentation ("R&E") tax credits to members of a controlled group. The new regulations update existing Treasury Regulations to make them consistent with changes that were made to Internal Revenue Code Section 41(f) when the R&E tax credit was renewed as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 ("the 2012 Act"). Prior to the 2012 Act, members of a controlled group that claimed federal R&E tax credits were required to compute the group credit as a single taxpayer and then allocate the resulting credit to individual members of the controlled group based on the amount of credit that would have been available to each member if its credit were computed on a stand-alone basis.
For purposes of the federal R&E tax credit, a controlled group includes all entities that are at least 50% owned by a common parent. The controlled group rules are different from the 80% ownership requirement that allows corporate taxpayers to file a consolidated federal tax return. As a result, it is possible that a single controlled group's federal R&E tax credit will be claimed on more than one taxpayer's consolidated income tax return. Computing each member's credit on a stand-alone basis and allocating the group credit based on these pro forma results was a complex and confusing process that created problems for many taxpayers.
The 2012 Act revised the federal R&E statute to allow controlled group members to allocate the group credit based on each member's proportionate share of the aggregate qualified research expense, basic research payments, and amounts paid or incurred to energy research consortiums (collectively referred to as "QRE"). This simplified allocation methodology is much easier for taxpayers to administer. But when the 2012 Act was signed, the prevailing Treasury Regulations related to Section 41(f) reflected the allocation methodology based on member credits that were calculated on a stand-alone basis. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published Notice 2013-20 shortly after the 2012 Act was signed into law, to advise taxpayers that they could allocate group credits using the proportionate QRE method. The Treasury's recent regulatory action formalizes the guidance advanced by the 2013 notice. The regulations also establish rules that enable taxpayers in a controlled group to make a consistent reduced credit election for the entire group.
Taxpayers are cautioned that the new controlled group allocation rules are effective for tax years ending after December 31, 2011 (as allowed by Notice 2013-20, or allowed by the effective date of the new regulations, April 3, 2015). Any amendments to returns for tax years ending before 2012 must still follow the allocation rules determined by member credits on a stand-alone basis.
About Ryan
Ryan is an award-winning global tax services firm, with the largest indirect and property tax practices in North America and the seventh largest corporate tax practice in the United States. With global headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the Firm provides a comprehensive range of state, local, federal, and international tax advisory and consulting services on a multi-jurisdictional basis, including audit defense, tax recovery, credits and incentives, tax process improvement and automation, tax appeals, tax compliance, and strategic planning. Ryan is a three-time recipient of the International Service Excellence Award from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) for its commitment to world-class client service. Empowered by the dynamic myRyan work environment, which is widely recognized as the most innovative in the tax services industry, Ryan's multi-disciplinary team of more than 2,000 professionals and associates serves over 9,000 clients in more than 40 countries, including many of the world's most prominent Global 5000 companies. More information about Ryan can be found at ryan.com.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140716/127737
TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Stephanie Shell Condon
Director
Ryan
512.960.1144
[email protected]
Jeff Malo
Director
Ryan
914.733.7720
[email protected]
SOURCE Ryan, LLC
Related Links
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article