Why the R&D Tax Credit is Overlooked?
The R&D Tax Credit isn’t overlooked because someone made a mistake, rather because it doesn’t always look like “research and development.''
Most tax filings are built for compliance ensuring expenses are categorized correctly, risk is minimized, and returns are filed accurately.
But uncovering R&D eligibility requires a deeper operational review of how your business innovates, solves technical challenges, refines processes, and experiments to grow.
3 Minutes - Confidential - No Obligation!
Does the Work You’re Doing Already Qualify for R&D Tax Credit?
You don’t need scientists in lab coats to qualify for the R&D Tax Credit.
You may qualify if your team has:
• Tested and refined a product, service, or deliverable
• Improved a process to reduce time, waste, errors, or rework
• Built or enhanced software, automation, or internal tools
• Solved problems where the outcome wasn't guaranteed at the start
•Iterated through prototypes, methods, materials, or workflows
•Refined engineering, manufacturing, or production methods
Still not sure? You don’t call it “R&D.” You call it improving systems, solving problems, and getting results. 3 minutes on the phone and let's discover whether you do or do not qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the R&D tax credit. Yes it is a federal tax incentive, available for businesses of all sizes that incur qualifying research expenses in the United States.
Yes. The R&D Tax Credit is a federal program that rewards qualifying innovation and describing improvement work. The key is doing it right: clear scoping, clean documentation, and a defensible filing.
Will This Trigger An IRS Audit?

No. Claiming a legal credit does not trigger an audit.
What matters is documentation quality. A defensible R&D study includes:
- Legal tax opinion methodology
- Project narratives
- Nexus between wages and projects
- Qualified research identification
- Substantiation package
Poorly prepared “cookie-cutter” studies are the real audit risk — not the credit itself.
Experience you can trust. Insight that uncovers what others miss.

Stacey Doege, CEO
+605.380.5165
stacey@profitmax.co
CEO & Founder ProfitMax
In the past decade, Stacey Doege has helped businesses recover over $2.2B+ they didn’t realize they qualified for. Her strategic, consultative approach turns complex R&D programs into clear financial wins for owners and CFOs.
Stacey and her husband have five children and are proud grandparents to two. As empty nesters, she remains focused on helping companies keep more of what they earn.
Profit Max, LLC is an independent state of Minnesota company, owned and operated by Stacey Doege.




