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R&D funding support for businesses - during and after COVID-19

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R&D Tax Incentive

R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI)

In these challenging times many New Zealand businesses are finding it difficult to keep planned research and development (R&D) activity on track. For others, our current business environment offers opportunities to do more R&D.  

The Government has introduced urgent changes to the RDTI to provide extra cash support to businesses performing R&D to help support them through the disruption caused by COVID-19 and beyond.

The RDTI allows qualifying businesses to claim a 15% tax credit on their eligible R&D costs. New policy changes allow more loss-making businesses to have this R&D tax credit refunded in cash. These broader refundability rules are backdated to the beginning of the RDTI scheme (the 2019/2020 income year) to help put much-needed cash back into R&D-performing businesses that are making losses.

For details on these changes please read our RDTI refundability fact sheet and subscribe to receive updates on how to apply. Subscribers will also receive via email other government R&D support announcements as these are made.DISCOVER THE R&D TAX INCENTIVE

F&P Healthcare

“The Growth Grant has been helpful to us, but the R&D tax credit is going to be better again due to the sheer amount of R&D we do.”

Andrew Somervell, Products and Technology VP, F&P Healthcare

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Beca

"Beca gets immense value from the support we receive from Callaghan Innovation - it makes good business sense for us to move to the R&D Tax Incentive scheme."

Mark Fleming, CFO, Beca

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Volpara Health

“More companies in New Zealand doing R&D will now be able to receive a benefit and that’s good for NZ Inc.”

Craig Hadfield, Volpara CFO

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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to commonly asked questions about the RDTI.
GO TO FAQ

Check if your R&D is eligible

To help you determine if your R&D is eligible, we’ve developed an easy to use online tool. The simple questions give an indication of whether your R&D may qualify for the RDTI.
ELIGIBILITY TOOL
Click here to be taken to Inland Revenue's easy-to-use eligibility tool.

Latest Updates

For “need to know” information about the RDTI, our introductory guide is a great starting point. It’s designed to develop your general understanding of the RDTI and to help you decide if the RDTI is right for you and your business.
Introduction to the R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI)
Most types of New Zealand-based businesses are eligible to claim the RDTI, regardless of their legal structure. For example, an eligible entity may be structured as a company, partnership, joint venture (JV), trust or as a sole trader. Find out more in our downloadable How-To guide.
Business Entity Eligibility
To qualify for the RDTI, you must be undertaking a core R&D activity in New Zealand. This How-To guide will help you determine what is an eligible R&D core or supporting activity and how to identify those activities within your own project.
R&D Activity Eligibility
To claim the RDTI you need to understand which items of expenditure qualify. You will also need to keep good records of the costs of your R&D. This How-To Guide will assist you in compiling and recording the data needed to submit your claim after the end of the income year.
Eligible R&D Expenditure
New RDTI refundability rules have been introduced as part of the COVID-19 response to help ease the financial burden on businesses that are performing R&D. The new rules encourage those businesses that can still undertake R&D to continue, by facilitating easier access to refundability.
Understanding the RDTI refundability rules
You can claim amounts you spend on contractors who do R&D on your behalf if certain criteria are met. Contractors themselves are not generally eligible for the RDTI. This How-To Guide will help you determine if the work you are paying your contractor to do is eligible for the RDTI.
Claim R&D performed by a contractor
Good records and well-structured processes will make claiming the RDTI a smooth process. Having your R&D and financial teams work together from the outset will mean you're more likely to have all the information you need - and documented in a way that helps support your RDTI claim.
Keep good R&D records
Different details apply if you choose to move from the Growth Grant to the RDTI in the 2019-2020 income year or in 2020-2021. As part of the process, you'll be advised whether you need to refund any Growth Grant payments you've already claimed for the year that you are moving across to the RDTI. This How-To Guide outlines the steps you need to take.
Switch from the Growth Grant to the RDTI

Quick Links

What R&D spend applies to the RDTI?
What is R&D and why do it?
How the Government can support your R&D
What is the RDTI and is it right for me?
What R&D activities are eligible for the RDTI?
What are the steps involved to claim?
How do I prepare to claim the RDTI?
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