Specialists in R&D tax credits
and § 174 capitalization
You're not just a number.
Rapport specializes in maximizing R&D credits and helping your business navigate § 174 capitalization. But, unlike other tax firms focused on building bots to minimize human interaction, we specialize in technical expertise and building relationships. It’s the result of claiming substantial R&D tax credits at Big 4 firms. And it’s how the credit will be defended in an IRS exam.
Claim your credits.
Navigate new capitalization requirements.
A whitepaper by the Review of Economics and Statistics found that every $1 of R&D Tax Credit (“credit”) leads to ~4x of R&D spending. This is significant, as R&D spending is a leading indicator of a company’s health and often signifies a higher growth trajectory.
Unfortunately, this decades-old credit incentive is met with resistance by the IRS and, more recently, by § 174 capitalization requirements. That’s where the Rapport Risk Score comes in. Its holistic, singular view scores the risk profile to both favorable credits and unfavorable § 174 capitalization. It transparently dashboards the credits you deserve while staying in compliance with new requirements.
Why Rapport
There’s a peace of mind that comes from working closely with someone you trust. Another added benefit? It can help you defend your company if need be. And we have a winning track record of doing so.
Over the course of our careers, both at Big 4 and Rapport, the team has prepared substantially sized tax credits, most of which were defended in IRS exams. Therefore, Rapport considers two main items when conducting studies: size and support. It’s not enough to assemble a sizable credit claim — it must maintain quality support and be ready to defend. Alternatively, it’s not enough to assemble support — the credit must be strategically sizable and accurate in order to align with the larger tax stance.
Plus, our thorough level of communication means that if your company were to be examined, you’d have layers of documentation at your fingertips to help protect your position.
We specialize in helping businesses of all sizes claim beneficial R&D tax credits and navigate the nuances of § 174 capitalization.
R&D Credits
Don’t leave anything on the table. Rapport was formed by preparing and defending F500 credit claims. Through this experience, we’ve gained invaluable insights on:
- IRS trends
- Strategy for each item in the QRE portfolio
- Building nexus between research activities and research expenses
- Awareness of larger financial effects
- Speed to delivery
- Seamless coordination with the Tax provider
We democratize these findings to SMB’s which, similar to F500 claims, leverage technology stacks to solve a problem. The iterative process of solving that problem is equally qualified for the credit, regardless of the taxpayer’s size.
The crux of qualifications requires contributions from subject-matter experts (“SME”) — the people solving the problem. There’s a reason we’re named Rapport. It’s because we build rapport with SME’s in order to:
- Minimize the impact on operations
- Obtain an accurate credit
- Reduce political costs to the Tax/Finance department
§ 174 capitalization
While the credit is favorable and elective, the § 174 capitalization requirement is unfavorable and mandatory. Worse still, oftentimes the R&D Tax Credit study is prepared without § 174 considerations, by an entirely separate team, or as an afterthought to the R&D study. You need a holistic, singular study to discern both favorable and unfavorable impacts on your company.
The Rapport Risk Score measures the risk profile of multiple QRE items. Low- and high-risk items are scrutinized for their favorable credit effect, then scored against unfavorable § 174 impacts. An informed conversation with Tax/Finance concludes with the positioning of each item.
Let us find you savings.
About Rapport
Big 4 experience. With a personal touch.
In over 20 years we gained invaluable experience working with global companies at Big 4 firms, claiming what those companies consider an impressive amount of R&D Tax Credits.
01
The ideal balance between human interaction and technology
Many companies don’t see the ROI in working with Big 4 firms or don’t like getting lost in a sea of clients. And many niche tax specialists rely too heavily on technology without bothering to discover additional benefits or even truly understand the company’s strategic position.
At Rapport, we utilize technology throughout our process, including GenAI — but it’s not our crown jewel. You are.
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Elevated customer service means we can elevate your tax benefits.
We love being at the crossroads of complex, constantly evolving technical tax strategy and the privilege of being in the same room building rapport with innovators and developers. The better we get to know you, the better we can serve you.
03
Rapport Founder + CEO
Jacob Welp
As a Big 4 veteran, Jacob was responsible for leading a suite of tax consulting strategies for multiple Big 4 firms. Because the R&D tax credit introduced him to endlessly interesting innovators and developers, Jacob has spent most of his career finding and defending R&D tax credits.
In fact, he has claimed $3B in R&D tax credits over the course of his career at Rapport and other Big 4 firms. With over two decades of experience in public accounting, he has worked with both FORTUNE 500 corporations and startups across various industries.
Testimonials
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