If your clients design, build, test, or improve products or processes, they probably qualify for the R&D tax credit. But identifying, documenting, and defending those claims can get complicated fast. That’s where an R&D specialist comes in.
Partnering early, before filing season, helps maximize the credit’s value, reduce audit risk, and make the process seamless for you and your clients.
The R&D tax credit looks simple on paper: reward companies that innovate.
In practice, it’s one of the more complex and misunderstood areas of the tax code.
A specialist bridges the gap between technical work and tax rules, ensuring the credit is both maximized and defensible.
Here’s what specialists do that general tax teams can’t easily replicate:
Simply put: specialists make sure you don’t leave money (or risk) on the table.
Knowing when to involve an R&D specialist is key.
Here are a few signs the timing is right:
If a client is developing new products, testing new materials, or customizing systems for unique challenges, they likely qualify.
→ Bring in a specialist early so those projects are tracked before year-end.
Industries like manufacturing, engineering, software, clean energy, or A/V almost always have qualifying activities.
→ Specialists know how to connect those real-world tasks to IRS definitions of “qualified research.”
The R&D credit requires technical detail; wages, supplies, contractor costs, and activity logs all need to be tied to specific projects.
→ A specialist ensures everything is documented accurately and defensibly.
When potential credits get large or it’s a first-time claim, the stakes go up.
→ Specialists provide the extra layer of compliance and support you (and your client) need for confidence.
R&D specialists don’t replace CPAs, they complement them.
While you manage your client’s overall tax picture, a specialist:
This partnership lets you offer more value without adding workload or risk.
In short: You stay the trusted advisor. The specialist provides the technical horsepower.
Clients benefit most when CPAs and R&D specialists work together early in the process.
Here’s what they get:
The best time to collaborate is before the tax season rush, when activities can still be tracked and documentation gathered efficiently.
R&D tax credits have become more visible and more scrutinized.
With ongoing changes to Section 174 and evolving IRS guidance, expertise matters more than ever.
Working with specialists ensures:
It’s a proactive, professional move, not just for your clients’ benefit, but for your own peace of mind.
At B10 Capital, we partner with CPAs, attorneys, and consultants across industries.
Our role is simple: make the complex easy.
We provide:
The result: stronger client outcomes and total confidence in every claim.
Knowing when to bring in an R&D specialist comes down to one rule of thumb:
If the client is doing something new, improved, or uncertain, it’s worth evaluating.
Bringing in a specialist early doesn’t just maximize the credit—it protects everyone involved and strengthens client relationships in the process.
If you’re a CPA, attorney, or consultant with clients who innovate, don’t wait until year-end.
Partner with B10 Capital today.
We’ll help you identify qualifying work, strengthen documentation, and deliver results your clients will thank you for.
Insights into sophisticated tax benefits designed for high-net-worth individuals and businesses.
