The Architect’s Plan to Optimize Tax Incentives for 2020

Class Three - Optimizing Tax Incentives for 2020:  R&D and 179D

1 AIA LU Available

No one likes paying taxes, so why pay more than you should? Both the Research & Development Tax Credit (R&D) and The Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction, also known as 179D, are little known, but highly lucrative tax incentives available to architecture and engineering firms. The R&D tax credit is based on "qualified research expenses" (QREs) - for every dollar spent on QREs, you can earn up to 8.0% in federal tax credits. Additionally, over 40 states offer similar R&D tax incentives that can double benefits in some cases. The value of the 179D incentive is $1.80 per square foot of an energy efficient building and available to architecture and engineering firms that design government buildings such as K-12 schools, state university buildings, airports, penitentiaries, courthouses, and more. And there are additional tax credit benefits due to interplay with the CARES Act.  This course will provide clarity on identifying both R&D and 179D eligible projects, and best practices for efficiently capturing requisite data to maximize tax savings.

 Learning Objectives: 

1. Understand the four-part test and basic exclusions to R&D, including the main components of funded versus non-funded research and identify target-rich environments for R&D

2. Participants will learn how architecture and engineering firms are eligible for the 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deduction and will be able to identify 179D eligible projects, and understand the process for claiming the 179D incentive

3. Learn how to optimize time and project tracking to maximize tax credits

4. Participants will be able to effectuate necessary changes in future tax incentive claims to better position company and owners in case of audit

5.  Participants will be able understand and identify additional benefits due to CARES Act legislation

About the Speaker:

Brady Bryan, BBA, JD, CQIA, Founding Member and CEO, Brayn Consulting

As BRAYN’s founder and CEO, Brady brings optimal value to mid- market clients through specialty tax incentives in a number of industries including architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and software. A licensed attorney in California and Texas himself, Brady has assembled an all-star team of BRAYNiacs. This powerhouse team is composed of lawyers, engineers, and accountants hailing from Big-4 and other national consulting firms. Brady’s goal is to educate businesses and people on how to avail themselves to the little-known tax incentives that are designed for them. In this way he knows BRAYN can make a meaningful impact with real people.

Prior to founding BRAYN in 2010, Brady spent many years in industry, as well as Big-4 accounting. During his tenure at Deloitte, he first learned about several of the tax incentives his company now specializes in. He also spent several years doing indigent defense work. Brady has a Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School, and a BBA in Management from Sam Houston State University. He lives in Las Vegas with his wife, three children, and three French bulldogs.