The aerospace industry is heavily dependent on technological advances, and requires substantial investments in research and development (R&D) to design functional and safe products. If your aerospace engineering company designs novel aircraft or components, improves the capability or efficiency of production processes, or tests prototypes and first articles, it may be eligible to claim the R&D Tax Credit. Credits are offered at the federal and state levels and the infusion of capital allows companies to reinvest in their workforce and fund future growth.

Employee wages, raw materials and supplies, cloud computer rental, and third-party contractor costs associated with R&D activities are considered qualified research expenses (QREs). Companies can receive refunds of up to 22% of total QREs through federal and state tax credits, depending on the state in which your business operates. 

Examples of qualifying activities: 

• Testing new equipment to conform to regulatory requirements
• Designing or improving aircraft simulators and cockpit software
• Improving aircraft designs to reduce drag (e.g. engineering narrower wings, smoothing the surface, developing improved materials)
• Researching methods that cut production costs and product weight
• Designing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) 
• Improving communication, navigation, lighting, and in-flight entertainment systems in commercial planes
  

Do you have these job titles on your payroll, or do you hire third-party contractors to do these jobs? 

• Aerospace Engineers
• Aerospace Technicians
• Aircraft Designers
• Chemical Engineers
• Computer-aided Design (CAD) Engineers
• Materials Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers
• QA/QC Personnel
• Software Engineers
  

Use our R&D Tax Credit Calculator to estimate your potential benefit, and partner with Strike to claim your tax benefits with no up-front costs. Contact one of our experts today.