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Also known as: R&D tax credit, startup tax credit

Tax Credit

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Definition

Tax Credit: Tax credits reduce the amount of tax owed dollar-for-dollar, more valuable than deductions which only reduce taxable income. R&D tax credits are particularly relevant for startups—offsetting payroll taxes even before profitability. Other credits exist for hiring, investment in certain areas, and specific industries.

Example Usage

The R&D tax credit saves us $80K annually in payroll taxes. For a pre-profit startup, that's real cash preservation.

Common Misconceptions

Tax credits are only for profitable companies. R&D credits can offset payroll taxes for pre-profit startups.
R&D credits are only for research labs. Software development often qualifies as R&D.
Tax credits aren't worth the hassle. For most startups, the savings significantly exceed compliance costs.

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