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One Big Beautiful Bill Act: A Game-Changer for R&D Tax Strategies

In the bustling economic landscape of the Inland Empire, innovation is more than just a buzzword - it's a necessity. For small business owners in cities like Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and San Bernardino, effectively leveraging tax strategies can be pivotal for fostering growth and maintaining a competitive edge. This is especially true for industries such as real estate, medical practices, and trucking, which are integral to our local economy.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, represents a significant shift in the taxation landscape, particularly affecting Research and Experimental (R&E) expenditures. This new legislation has reinstated businesses' ability to immediately deduct domestic R&E costs, echoing the incentives previously available before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017.

Understanding R&E Expenses

R&E expenses, often synonymous with R&D (Research and Development) expenditures, are the costs incurred While improving or developing new products. Such costs typically include:

  • Employee wages for those directly involved in research activities.

  • Costs related to materials and supplies used up in the research process.

  • Payments for third-party research services.

  • Overhead costs like rent, utilities, and repairs linked to R&E activities.

The IRS broadly defines these expenses to encourage a wide range of innovation-driven activities, crucial for industries like real estate and logistics within our region.

The Journey of R&E Tax Treatment

Prior to the changes by the TCJA, businesses had the option under Section 174 to either deduct R&E expenses immediately or capitalize and amortize them over a minimum of 60 months. This flexibility provided immediate cash flow benefits, which are particularly valuable for cash-strapped startups and small businesses.

However, the TCJA mandated the capitalization and amortization of all R&E expenditures, over five years for domestic and 15 years for foreign research efforts, starting in 2022. This shift placed a significant financial strain on businesses, especially startups that hadn’t yet generated revenue.

Southern California Small Business Owners: Let’s Optimize Your Tax Strategy
Are you a small business owner in Inland Empire, Los Angeles, or Orange County? Let’s discuss tailored tax strategies designed specifically for small businesses in Southern California. Book your free consultation with a licensed CPA today.
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The Impact of the OBBBA on Domestic R&E

The OBBBA reintroduces the option to immediately deduct domestic R&E expenses, thus re-establishing a vital financial incentive for U.S.-based companies. However, the 15-year amortization for foreign R&E remains, compelling multinational firms to reconsider their research locales.

Notably, the Act provides transitional relief for costs capitalized under TCJA from 2022 to 2024. Businesses can now either expense the entire unamortized domestic R&E costs in 2025, amortize them over two years (50% each in 2025 and 2026), or continue the original TCJA schedule.

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Opportunities for Small Businesses

For eligible small businesses, typically those with under $31 million in annual gross receipts, there's an even more powerful option: retroactive expensing through amended returns for 2022, 2023, and 2024, potentially unlocking significant refunds. This, however, involves coordination with R&D tax credit reductions.

Strategize Your Tax Advantage

Interacting with provisions like the Net Operating Loss (NOL) and international tax rules means a smart approach could vastly diminish tax liabilities. Consulting with a tax professional can help businesses in the Inland Empire navigate these changes effectively, maximizing potential tax benefits. Strategic tax planning isn't just a compliance measure—it's a growth catalyst.

The IRS has simplified the transition by treating these changes as automatic accounting method alterations. Businesses are encouraged to capitalize on this "catch-up" opportunity for an immediate cash infusion.

Contact our office to explore these strategies further and tailor them to your specific needs, ensuring that your business continues to thrive in the competitive landscape of California's Inland Empire.

Southern California Small Business Owners: Let’s Optimize Your Tax Strategy
Are you a small business owner in Inland Empire, Los Angeles, or Orange County? Let’s discuss tailored tax strategies designed specifically for small businesses in Southern California. Book your free consultation with a licensed CPA today.
Book Your Appointment
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