A man with a beard and a pink bubble with the words let's talk.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
close
Only FEDERAL Credits Available

Montana R&D Tax Credits Content

Montana has no Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit in 2025. Businesses innovating in sectors like agriculture, energy, and technology can claim the federal R&D credit under IRC §41 for qualified activities performed in the state, plus explore state innovation grants through the Montana Department of Commerce.

No State
R&D Credit
Federal
Alternatives Available
Key Highlights
  • Montana has no R&D tax credit in 2025
  • Leverage the federal R&D tax credit under IRC §41 for qualified activities in Montana
  • Explore Montana SBIR/STTR Matching Funds: Up to $30,000 per phase for tech companies pursuing federal innovation grants
  • Access business assistance grants and loans via Montana Department of Commerce for starting or growing innovative ventures
Book a Consultation

Key Highlights

Eligible Entities
  • C Corporation May claim both the regular and basic research credit
  • S Corporation Limited entity-level use; can pass credits to shareholders
  • Partnerships / LLCs Credits pass through to owners via Schedule K-1
Qualified Research Expenses (QREs)
Frequent Asked Questions

Does Montana offer an R&D tax credit for businesses?

mness-logo
line-logo

Montana does not offer a state-specific R&D tax credit, but businesses can claim the federal R&D tax credit for qualified research expenses incurred in Montana. Contact Strike Tax to maximize your savings.

What qualifies as R&D activity for the federal credit in Montana?

mness-logo
line-logo

Qualifying activities must be technological, aimed at developing or improving a business component, eliminate uncertainty, and involve experimentation. Examples include product innovation or process improvements in industries like agriculture or energy. Strike Tax can identify qualifying projects.

Can startups in Montana claim R&D tax credits?

mness-logo
line-logo

Yes, startups can claim the federal R&D credit, including a payroll tax offset of up to $500,000 annually for up to five years if gross receipts are under $5 million and no receipts for more than five years. Strike Tax can guide eligibility.

How do I document R&D expenses for a federal credit in Montana?

mness-logo
line-logo

Maintain contemporaneous records such as project descriptions, time tracking, wage allocations, supply costs, and contract research agreements. For 2025, Form 6765 requires detailed business component information in Section G for claims over certain thresholds. Strike Tax ensures audit-ready documentation.

What is the process to claim federal R&D tax credits in Montana?

mness-logo
line-logo

Attach Form 6765 to your federal tax return. In Montana, report the federal credit on your state return if it impacts state taxes. Strike Tax streamlines the process.

What are the 2025 changes to R&D tax credits in Montana?

mness-logo
line-logo

Montana has no state R&D credit, so there are no state-specific changes. For federal credits, starting in 2025, Section G of Form 6765 is required for all claims, mandating detailed reporting of business components to enhance compliance. The IRS has also extended transition relief for certain refund claims. Strike Tax can help navigate these updates.

How long can federal R&D credits be carried forward?

mness-logo
line-logo

Federal R&D credits can be carried forward for up to 20 years or back 1 year to offset tax liability. In Montana, this applies directly to federal filings, with no state interaction. Strike Tax optimizes carryforward strategies for maximum value.

What records are needed for federal audits in Montana?

mness-logo
line-logo

Retain 3–6 years of documentation, including payroll records, project timelines, expense invoices, and uncertainty/ experimentation logs. Montana-based activities must align with IRC §41 standards. Strike Tax prepares audit defenses to protect your claims.

Are out-of-state expenses eligible for the federal credit when operating in Montana?

mness-logo
line-logo

Yes, the federal R&D credit is available nationwide for qualified research expenses (QREs), regardless of location, as long as they meet IRC §41 criteria. Montana businesses can claim QREs from anywhere, but focus on in-state innovation for grant synergies. Strike Tax verifies nationwide eligibility.

How does the federal credit interact with Montana taxes?

mness-logo
line-logo

The federal R&D credit reduces federal taxable income, which flows through to Montana's individual or corporate income tax calculations. No direct state credit exists, but it indirectly lowers Montana liability. Strike Tax ensures seamless federal-state alignment.

Next Steps

Estimate Credits
Estimate Credits

Use our calculator to estimate your potential federal and state benefits.

Estimate your Credits
Speak to Expert
Speak to Expert

Schedule a consultation to structure your innovation activities.

Book a Consultation

Montana
R&D Tax Credits

Connect with us to find out how R&D tax credits can boost your organization’s bottom line.

go back
This post was last updated on Dec 10, 2025.

Montana R&D Tax Credit

Discover the benefits of Montana state credits and see how your business could qualify.

Unfortunately, Montana does not provide a research and development credit. You could still be eligible for the Federal R&D Credit - Check out our calculator below to estimate your potential benefit.

%
%
%
carry forward for credit usage

Montana R&D Tax Credit Eligibility Summary:

Is the R&D Tax Credit Available?:
Yes
No
Eligible Entities:
Deadline for Tax Filing:
Data Required to Compute Credit:
What Information is needed?:

Montana R&D Tax Credit Guidelines:

Montana R&D Tax Credit Case Study

A Montana-based company recovered thousands in R&D tax credits to refuel growth.

$

Total state R&D tax credits earned

%

Amount of wages qualified for tax credits

$

Total R&D tax credit earned

Key Montana R&D Tax Credits R&D Tax Rules Changes

2019' - 22
22' and after
2019' - 22
22' and after

Resources

There are many other considerations and exemptions, including what documentation the IRS requires for the R&D tax credits. Stay updated to navigate the new tax laws with confidence.

Heading

Connect with us to find out how R&D Tax Credits can boost your organization’s performance.

Ready to Maximize Your State Credits?

With just a little info, our Strike Experts can help you start your R&D tax credit journey.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
go back

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.

What’s a Rich Text element?

What’s a Rich Text element?

The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

Static and dynamic content editing

Static and dynamic content editing

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

How to customize formatting for each rich text

How to customize formatting for each rich text

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

Ready to calculate your R&D tax credits?

To get an estimate of the potential value of your unclaimed R&D Tax Credits, try out our credit calculator.

A phone and a tablet displaying a tax calculator.
Download the app.

Download our R&D Tax Credit Calculator for Android to see how much you can receive from your qualified R&D tax credit expenses.

google-pay
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
A black background with a lightning symbol.
a screenshot of a tax calculatora screenshot of a tax calculator
Frequent Asked Questions

Does Montana offer an R&D tax credit for businesses?

mness-logo
line-logo

Montana does not offer a state-specific R&D tax credit, but businesses can claim the federal R&D tax credit for qualified research expenses incurred in Montana. Contact Strike Tax to maximize your savings.

What qualifies as R&D activity for the federal credit in Montana?

mness-logo
line-logo

Qualifying activities must be technological, aimed at developing or improving a business component, eliminate uncertainty, and involve experimentation. Examples include product innovation or process improvements in industries like agriculture or energy. Strike Tax can identify qualifying projects.

Can startups in Montana claim R&D tax credits?

mness-logo
line-logo

Yes, startups can claim the federal R&D credit, including a payroll tax offset of up to $500,000 annually for up to five years if gross receipts are under $5 million and no receipts for more than five years. Strike Tax can guide eligibility.

How do I document R&D expenses for a federal credit in Montana?

mness-logo
line-logo

Maintain contemporaneous records such as project descriptions, time tracking, wage allocations, supply costs, and contract research agreements. For 2025, Form 6765 requires detailed business component information in Section G for claims over certain thresholds. Strike Tax ensures audit-ready documentation.

What is the process to claim federal R&D tax credits in Montana?

mness-logo
line-logo

Attach Form 6765 to your federal tax return. In Montana, report the federal credit on your state return if it impacts state taxes. Strike Tax streamlines the process.

What are the 2025 changes to R&D tax credits in Montana?

mness-logo
line-logo

Montana has no state R&D credit, so there are no state-specific changes. For federal credits, starting in 2025, Section G of Form 6765 is required for all claims, mandating detailed reporting of business components to enhance compliance. The IRS has also extended transition relief for certain refund claims. Strike Tax can help navigate these updates.

How long can federal R&D credits be carried forward?

mness-logo
line-logo

Federal R&D credits can be carried forward for up to 20 years or back 1 year to offset tax liability. In Montana, this applies directly to federal filings, with no state interaction. Strike Tax optimizes carryforward strategies for maximum value.

What records are needed for federal audits in Montana?

mness-logo
line-logo

Retain 3–6 years of documentation, including payroll records, project timelines, expense invoices, and uncertainty/ experimentation logs. Montana-based activities must align with IRC §41 standards. Strike Tax prepares audit defenses to protect your claims.

Are out-of-state expenses eligible for the federal credit when operating in Montana?

mness-logo
line-logo

Yes, the federal R&D credit is available nationwide for qualified research expenses (QREs), regardless of location, as long as they meet IRC §41 criteria. Montana businesses can claim QREs from anywhere, but focus on in-state innovation for grant synergies. Strike Tax verifies nationwide eligibility.

How does the federal credit interact with Montana taxes?

mness-logo
line-logo

The federal R&D credit reduces federal taxable income, which flows through to Montana's individual or corporate income tax calculations. No direct state credit exists, but it indirectly lowers Montana liability. Strike Tax ensures seamless federal-state alignment.