AusIndustry Registration And ATO Schedules, Both Handled
An R&D Tax Incentive claim has a technical side (AusIndustry) and a financial side (ATO), and most providers are stronger on one than the other. We're built around handling both in one team, so the technical narrative and the expenditure analysis tell the same story.
The R&D Tax Incentive is a federal Australian programme that provides tax offsets for eligible research and development expenditure. The offset rate depends on aggregated turnover: refundable offset at 43.5 percent for companies under $20 million in turnover, non-refundable offset at variable rates (38.5 percent or 41.5 percent based on R&D intensity) for larger companies. The programme is administered jointly by AusIndustry (technical eligibility) and the ATO (financial claim), with annual registration required within ten months of year-end.
Eligible activities must involve scientific or technological uncertainty resolved through systematic experimentation, with supporting activities included where they directly support core R&D. Create Financial provides full R&D Tax Incentive services including eligibility assessment, technical narrative preparation, financial expenditure mapping, AusIndustry registration, ATO schedule preparation, and audit support if claims are reviewed. Engagements typically begin with a free eligibility assessment and proceed on fixed pricing based on the claim's complexity and value.
Where R&D Tax Incentive Claims Have Most Impact
The R&D Tax Incentive has the most impact on cash flow for early-stage and growth-stage Australian companies in technology, biotech, engineering, and scientific research sectors. The refundable 43.5 percent offset for companies under $20M turnover is particularly valuable because it operates as a cash refund regardless of tax liability, providing non-dilutive funding that preserves equity. Companies that claim consistently each year often find the incentive becomes a meaningful annual contribution to development costs, sometimes representing 10 to 20 percent of total R&D spending. The compounding value over multiple years is substantial.
Improved cash flow through refundable offsets on eligible R&D expenditure
Access to non-dilutive funding that preserves ownership during growth
Reduced financial pressure during critical development and experimentation phases
Better documentation practices that support investor confidence
Clear identification of eligible R&D activities and supporting work
Strong alignment with AusIndustry and ATO requirements
A consistent annual support mechanism that grows with your company
Comprehensive R&D Tax Incentive Services
Our R&D Tax Incentive service covers the full claim lifecycle: free initial eligibility assessment, technical narrative development with your engineering team, financial expenditure mapping to ATO requirements, AusIndustry registration, lodgement, and audit support if needed. Senior specialists handle both the technical and financial dimensions in one team.
Eligibility Assessment
We'll assess your projects to identify core innovation activities, supporting development work and confirm alignment with the incentive scheme requirements.
Technical Documentation Support
We support your team to document research assumptions, knowledge gaps, experimental work and technical approach in clear and compliant formats demonstrating systematic research practice.
Research Support and Tax Benefit Maximization
We help you establish streamlined, efficient processes for documenting R&D activity and costs so future claims become more manageable, quicker and consistently accurate.
Research Incentive and Audit Resolution
If your claim is examined, we assist with clarification, evidence preparation and structured responses to ensure your documentation supports your position.
R&D Preparation and Tax Lodgement
We manage your R&D registration with AusIndustry for lodgement.
R&D Expenditure Identification and Analysis
We ensure all eligible R&D expenditure is identified and accurately attributed.
How the R&D Tax Incentive Process Works
Step 1
Initial eligibility review
We identify which projects and activities qualify as core or supporting R&D and confirm how they align with the programme requirements.
Step 7
Planning for future years
We help you establish simple processes for documenting R&D activity and expenditure so future claims become faster, more robust and easier to maintain.
Step 6
Audit support and clarification
If your claim is reviewed, we assist with clarification, documentation and structured responses to ensure your position is properly supported.
Step 5
Lodgement
We manage your R&D registration with AusIndustry and prepare the associated tax schedules for lodgement with your company tax return.
Step 2
Technical scoping
We meet with your technical team to understand uncertainties, hypotheses, experiments and development work, and to capture the reasoning behind each activity.
Step 3
Expenditure calculations
We analyse staff time, contractor involvement, cloud environments, prototypes, testing materials and relevant overheads to ensure all eligible R&D costs are accurately mapped.
Step 4
Preparation of technical and financial documentation
We prepare clear narratives and evidence that demonstrate systematic investigation and reconcile your financial data to support your claim.
Our structured process gives founders clarity at every stage and supports the preparation of a complete and compliant claim. We work closely with your technical and financial teams to ensure all eligible activities and expenditure are identified, documented and presented in a way that aligns with AusIndustry and ATO expectations.
R&D incentive maximisation with thorough documentation and claims
Working with Create Financial gives you more than assistance with claim preparation. You gain a partner who understands both innovation and financial strategy. Our advisers have experience supporting high growth companies through development, commercialisation and regulatory processes. This experience allows us to identify eligible activities confidently, improve documentation quality and provide clear guidance at every stage.
When you work with Create Financial, you gain expertise that strengthens your financial position and supports your innovation journey with clarity and assurance.
Key Advantages
Founder centred support that respects your workload and development cycles
Clear communication and structured guidance throughout
Strong documentation that reduces compliance risk
Accurate mapping of eligible R&D expenditure across all cost categories
Integration with broader financial planning and forecasting
Confidence that your submission aligns with AusIndustry and ATO expectations
A long term relationship that strengthens your documentation practices each year
How Create Financial Compares to Other Providers
Selecting the right partner has a direct impact on the accuracy and defensibility of your submission. Some advisors take an overly cautious approach that overlooks eligible expenditure, while others prioritise claim value without ensuring compliance. Create Financial offers a balanced, founder focused approach that supports accuracy, defensibility and long term value.
How We Compare
Criteria
Create Financial
General Accountants
R&D Consultants
Founder experience
Yes
Rare
No
Technical and financial expertise combined
Yes
Limited
Yes
Strong compliance alignment
Yes
Inconsistent
Yes
Audit support included
Yes
No
Often limited
Integrated financial strategy
Yes
No
No
Startup focused
Yes
No
No
Multi year planning
Yes
No
Limited
This comparison demonstrates why founders choose Create Financial. You receive support from a team that understands innovation, balances opportunity with compliance and provides clarity across both technical and financial considerations.
Our R&D tax incentive services are designed for companies that innovate, experiment and solve complex technical challenges. We support founders and technical teams across industries where research, testing and iterative development are essential to progress.
Who This Is For
Software and SaaS companies developing new features, platforms or algorithms
Deep tech and engineering ventures addressing complex mechanical or structural challenges
Medical, health and biotechnology organisations advancing devices, treatments or diagnostic methods
Environmental and agricultural technology companies improving sustainability or resource efficiency
Manufacturing and product development teams designing prototypes, testing materials or refining processes
Scientific research based organisations preparing for commercialisation
High growth companies developing systems that require experimentation and systematic investigation
If your work involves resolving technical uncertainty, testing new approaches or developing capabilities that are not readily achievable with known methods, you may already be conducting eligible R&D activity. We help you determine what qualifies and ensure it is documented appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the R&D tax incentive in Australia?
The R&D tax incentive is a government programme that provides refundable or non refundable tax offsets to support eligible research and development activities. It reduces the financial risk of developing new or improved technologies and applies across a wide range of industries.
What activities qualify for the R&D tax incentive?
What documentation is required for a compliant claim?
How do I know if my business is eligible?
How long does the R&D claim process take?
Eligible activities must involve scientific or technological uncertainty and require systematic experimentation to resolve it. This includes forming hypotheses, testing different approaches and analysing results. Examples include software development involving new methods or algorithms, engineering activities that address design challenges and prototype development.
The timeline varies depending on how quickly the required information is available. Most companies complete the eligibility review, documentation and expenditure mapping within several weeks. Lodgement follows the company tax return process.
Eligibility depends on whether your work involves resolving scientific or technological uncertainty using systematic investigation. If your team is developing new capabilities or testing methods to overcome technical challenges, you may already be conducting eligible R&D activity.
You must maintain evidence that supports your R&D activities. This includes descriptions of uncertainties, experiments, technical reasoning, outcomes and staff time, along with supporting financial records. Create Financial assists with organising and preparing this documentation.
Ready to Secure Your R&D Tax Incentive with Confidence?
Innovation deserves the right financial support. If your team is experimenting, developing new solutions or improving the performance and capability of your products or systems, the R&D tax incentive can strengthen cash flow and support your long term growth. With expert guidance, you can submit a clear, compliant claim that reflects the real technical work your team is doing.
Take the next step and speak with our team about your eligibility, the documentation required and how we can support your claim from assessment through to lodgement.
