Chris Peters | R&D Tax Advisors
The R&D tax credit is one of the most misunderstood areas of tax for growing companies. Many businesses have heard of it, but are still unsure what qualifies, how it works, or what it takes to claim it properly.
I’m Chris Peters, founder of R&D Tax Advisors, and I help businesses understand, document, and claim R&D tax credits clearly and correctly.
On this channel, you’ll find practical guidance to help you understand the credit more clearly, make smarter decisions, and avoid mistakes that can create problems later.
Episodes
11 episodes
What Counts Toward the R&D Tax Credit in 2026? - Episode 11
Does Your Software Work Qualify for the R&D Tax Credit? Use the Count/Review/Cut BucketsThis episode explains that the question “Does our work qualify for the R&D tax credit?” is too vague and should be replaced by sorting work a...
Before You File an R&D Credit in 2026, Check These 4 Rules - Episode 10
Section 174 vs. Section 41: The 4 “Lanes” to Plan Your 2025 R&D Tax Credit (and Section G + Payroll Election)The episode explains that recent changes to Section 174 (deduction timing for research expenditures) are often confused with...
7 R&D Credit Flags Your CPA Should Catch Before Filing - Episode 09
7 R&D Tax Credit Red Flags to Check Before You File (Plus 1 Bonus Most Miss)The biggest risk with the R&D tax credit is not claiming it, but being able to support it, and provides a one-page checklist of seven red flags plus a bo...
The R&D Tax Credit Is Hard Until You Build Documentation Like This - Episode 08
The 3-Folder R&D Tax Credit Documentation System (Built for IRS Audits + Form 6765 Section G)The episode explains why many R&D tax credit studies fail audit scrutiny because they produce only a form number without substantiating ...
Give Me 20 Minutes, And I'll Tell You If Your 510 Engineer Team Probably Qualifies - Episode 07
R&D Tax Credit for Small Engineering Teams: The 4-Part Test, 3 Layers, and Top DisqualifiersThe episode explains how founders with 5–10 person engineering teams often miss six-figure R&D tax credits by using their own definition ...
You're Not Too Early - How Pre-Revenue Startups Use the R&D Credit - Episode 06
Pre-Revenue Founders: Don’t Wait—Claim the R&D Tax Credit as a Payroll Tax Refund (5-5-5 Rule)The episode explains why pre-revenue startups with small US engineering teams should consider claiming the R&D tax credit now instead o...
If I Wanted to Claim My Startup's R&D Tax Credit in 2026, I'd Do This - Episode 05
How to Claim the R&D Tax Credit for Your Startup in 2026 (Step-by-Step + Avoid Costly Mistakes)The episode explains how an early-stage engineering startup can claim the R&D tax credit in 2026 and set up a repeatable process to ca...
What the IRS Actually Looks For in an R&D Tax Credit Claim - Episode 04
New IRS Form 6765 (Section G): How to Build an Audit-Ready R&D Tax Credit ClaimThis episode explains the IRS’s upcoming changes to Form 6765 for claiming the R&D tax credit, focusing on the new Section G and what examiners alread...
You Haven't Claimed the R&D Tax Credit Because You Believe This Lie - Episode 03
R&D Tax Credit for Startups: How Pre-Revenue Companies Can Offset Payroll Taxes (Up to $500K)The episode explains that startups don’t need to be profitable to benefit from the R&D tax credit because eligible pre-revenue, pre-taxa...
The R&D Tax Credit Eligibility Test You've Never Been Taught - Episode 02
R&D Tax Credit for Startups: IRS 4-Part Test, Internal-Use Software Rules, and Audit-Ready DocumentationThis episode explains the IRS framework for evaluating R&D tax credit eligibility in clear startup terms, including how to ap...
I'm Pre-Revenue With 8 Developers. Can the R&D Tax Credit Still Help Me? - Episode 01
R&D Payroll Tax Credit for Pre-Revenue Startups: How to Claim Up to $500K (Form 6765 + 8974)The script explains how pre-revenue startups can use the federal R&D tax credit to offset payroll taxes (including the 7.65% payroll tax)...