R&D Knowledge
Understanding the R&D Tax Incentive program.
The R&D Tax Incentive is a government program designed to support businesses conducting eligible research and development. It offers a refundable or non-refundable tax offset for companies undertaking experimental work aimed at generating new knowledge, improving processes, or developing innovative solutions.
While the incentive is generous, interpreting and applying it correctly requires a good understanding of the legislation, eligibility criteria, and documentation standards.
Link R&D Advisory keeps in mind the most important first step: returning to the legislation itself. A step often overlooked. While guidance and interpretations may shift, the legislation remains the core authority.
There’s no shortage of summaries and commentary online, and much of it repeating the same basic points. Link R&D Advisory aims to go a step further, offering insights that focus on how to use the program effectively and in line with your real-world business operations.
Whether you’re new to the incentive or looking to improve how you manage it, you can read our practical reflections on identifying eligible activities, avoiding common mistakes, and setting up your projects from the start.
As the program and guidance continue to evolve, this section and others on the site will be updated to support businesses in getting the most from the R&D Tax Incentive.
Useful resources.
For a clear starting point, here are links to official guidance.
Primary source:
Government legislation – Research & Develeopment Tax Incentive program
Additional guidance from key governing bodies:
ATO – Research & Development Tax Incentive
business.gov.au – Research & Development Tax Incentive
ATO – R&D Tax Incentive calculator