Welcome Changes to Proposed R&D Credit Claims Process

The IRS recently announced several notable changes to the process of claiming the R&D Tax Credit, announcing welcome reductions to requirements for filing amended R&D Credit claims and reduced requirements for the proposed Form 6765. In response to feedback, the IRS has revised the draft Form 6765 and has also waived...

IRS Released Final Regulations for Satisfying Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Requirements for Green Tax Incentives

The IRS released final regulations and related guidance regarding bonus credits and deductions for taxpayers that satisfy prevailing wage and apprenticeship (PWA) requirements. The regulations apply to certain “green” energy tax provisions, such as the §179D Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction and the §45L Energy Efficient Home Credit, as well...

§179D Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction Future Reference Standards

The IRS recently released Announcement 2024-24, notifying taxpayers that Reference Standard 90.1-2022 is the applicable reference standard required under the §179D Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction for ‘Energy Efficient Commercial Building Property’ (EECBP) placed in service after December 31, 2028, and the construction of which did not begin by December...

Meyer, Borgman, & Johnson (MBJ) v. Commissioner: A Cautionary Tale on Contract Language and R&D Credits

The recent MBJ v. Commissioner ruling highlights the important role of contract language in determining eligibility for Research and Development (R&D) Credits. MBJ, a structural engineering firm, had $190,000 in credits disallowed due to inadequate contract language. Although MBJ's contracts allowed for phase inspections and termination for substantial failure to...

Tax Court Affirms Crucial Role of Supporting Documentation in R&D Credits

A recent Tax Court ruling in S Moore v. Commissioner serves as a reminder of the important role documentation plays in supporting claims for research credits. In this case, the Tax Court disallowed a tax credit for research expenses claimed by a married couple due to inadequate documentation...

Build A Real Estate Portfolio While Minimizing Tax: Cost Segregation and the Short-Term Rental Loophole

In an interview by Arda Bircan from STR Tax Loophole, Alex Bagne, President of ICS, explains how savvy investors combine cost segregation with the short-term rental loophole to minimize income taxes, grow a real estate portfolio, and build generational wealth. He discusses a real-life scenario in which a successful C-level...

Senators Urge Action on R&D Tax Credit to Boost American Innovation

On Thursday, March 21, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on the Biden 2025 Budget Proposal, questioning Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on various aspects of the proposed budget, with many members noting concern about the proposed increase of the corporate tax rate and aspects of the budget that would...

Maximum §179D Deduction Increased to $5.65 for 2024

The §179D Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction is a federal tax incentive encouraging energy efficient construction by providing building owners and designers with substantial financial benefits. An exciting aspect in 2024 is the inflationary increase of the maximum §179D Deduction to $5.65 per square foot for projects meeting the prevailing...

The R&D Tax Credit Stands to Benefit from the Proposed Tax Act

The proposed Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 changes the period for when companies must start the five-year period for the deduction of research and experimental expenditures from tax years beginning after December 31, 2021, to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025...

How Cost Segregation Can Widen the Short-Term Rental Loophole

The short-term rental loophole allows investors in vacation homes and similar properties to offset wage income with accelerated tax deductions generated by cost segregation studies. The article titled "Expanding the Short-Term Rental Loophole with Cost Segregation," co-written by Alex Bagne, President of ICS, details the mechanics of this beneficial tax...

2023 ASCSP Annual Conference

The American Society of Cost Segregation Professionals (ASCSP) just concluded its annual conference in Washington, DC. ICS Tax, LLC sent three of its cost segregation professionals, Alex Bagne, Roel Vicerra and Luis Barreira to stay abreast of developments within this ever changing industry. Alex Bagne, a Certified Cost Segregation Professional (CCSP)...

IRS Provides New Guidance on the §45L Energy Efficient Homes Credit via Notice 2023-65

On September 27, 2023, the IRS released guidance on §45L New Energy Efficient Home Credit (§45L Credit) through Notice 2023-65. The guidance provided in this notice addresses: (i) the person that is eligible for the credit, (ii) determining the applicable amount of the credit, (iii) energy saving requirements, (iv) certification...

What does Notice 2023-63, Guidance on the New R&D Amortization and Capitalization Requirements, Mean for Taxpayers?

On September 8, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) released an advance version of Notice 2023-63. This Notice provides interim guidance intended to clarify the amortization and capitalization of specified research and experimental (“SRE”) expenditures under Section 174, amended by the Tax Cuts and Jobs...

IRS Requests Feedback on Preview of Proposed Changes to Form 6756, Credit for Increasing Research Activities

An Internal Revenue Service new release previews proposed changes to certain sections of Form 6765, Credit for Increasing Research Activities, commonly known as the Research & Development (R&D) tax credit. The IRS is soliciting feedback in the absence of the formal draft release process for form changes. The...

IRS Ceases Processing of New Employment Retention Credit Claims

An Internal Revenue Service new release announced that the IRS would halt processing new Employee Retention Credits (ERC). The moratorium, beginning September 14, 2023, is expected to run through at least the end of the year. The news report stated that the IRS will “continue to work previously filed Employee...