Estimate the scale of the R&DTI only after understanding eligibility.
For companies with aggregated turnover below $20 million, current government guidance describes the refundable R&D tax offset as the company tax rate plus an 18.5 percentage-point premium. This page is for planning only; it does not calculate entitlement or tax payable.
For an under-$20m company, think in three inputs.
The final result depends on more than expenditure multiplied by a percentage.
Entity eligibility, activity eligibility, expenditure rules, aggregation, the company's tax position, adjustments and other provisions can affect the outcome. Companies with aggregated turnover of $20 million or more use a different R&D intensity framework.
Use an estimate to support budgeting and funding discussions, but do not treat it as a claim entitlement.
Build the activity and expenditure record first.
My focus is the R&D operating system behind the numbers: hypotheses, experiments, observations, activity records, staff and contractor links, expenditure support and management review.
business.gov.au explains the current offset framework, including the corporate tax rate plus 18.5% premium for companies under $20 million aggregated turnover and the R&D-intensity approach for larger companies.
Official R&DTI overview →This page provides general educational information and a simplified planning relationship only. It is not a tax calculation, tax advice, eligibility determination or guarantee of a refundable amount. Obtain appropriately qualified tax advice for your company's circumstances.
Build the evidence behind the forecast.
Tell me what the company is developing and your forecast R&D expenditure. I can help design the evidence and management system around the work.