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R&D Tax Concessions

Helping your optimise your R&D tax claim

From its inception in 1985, Michael Johnson Associates has been helping companies prepare compliant claims for the R&D tax concession.

We offer a range of services intended to help educate, inform and assist you in your R&D claim process so that you free up time and resources to invest in activities within your business.

You will find more details on some specific services we offer in the menu above, but our main focus is helping companies access R&D tax concessions and defend their claims against audit and assessment by the goverment.

Here’s why you should consider a specialist firm

True compliance means lower tax risk

Whilst every decision in tax isn’t necessarily a risk factor, the R&D tax concession definitely is. In addition to the financial risk associated with poorly prepared or unsubstantiated claim, you know that it is important to have the opportunity to reach an understanding of the claim, its risk profile and to participate in the decisions that are made in putting the claim together. This means that sources of tax and reputational risk are addressed contemporaneously, and in excess of what is required merely to claim.

We always seek to reflect the tax risk of the organisation in R&D claims.

Front footed

We proactively invest time at your sites, working alongside your technical and financial staff. This lets us build strong relationships and a knowledge and experience base that is embodied in every claim, recommendation and work program with our clients.

We work on the front foot, from policy to compliance concerns, so that we’re always reflecting your priorities and the government’s risk areas.

Cooperative assessment approach

Our track record on audit and assessment includes successfully assisting clients through ‘Top 30’ assessments and notably, Coal & Allied through litigation in the Federal Court. Our approach to government assessments, such as those by AusIndustry on behalf of Innovation Australia are generally cooperative rather than combative. We have observed, over time, that with properly made claims and a recognition that advisors and government have a joint interest in seeing the program succeed, we can achieve better results for clients by working cooperatively.

Occasionally this is not possible, and once claims get into litigation the interests tend to diverge. But for the most part we are successful in resolving assessments prior to litigation.

Knowledge base: Experts in the R&D tax concession

As the authors of the CCH Commentary on the R&D tax concession, we have expert knowledge in the field. Our industry experience allows us to consider your R&D projects and systems in context. These factors mean we can share our knowledge to offer you new ideas and fresh approaches to claiming the concession.

National coverage

MJA’s consulting teams service client sites across Australia, through site visits, email and teleconference. Our structure ensures we provide a consistent approach and give consistent advice. We choose the appropriate team mix, based on relevant skills and experience.