California R&D Tax Credit Services for Technology and Engineering Companies

We help California companies identify, calculate, document, and defend both federal and California R&D credits while minimizing disruption to technical teams.
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Estimate Your Potential Credit
What Sets Us Apart
  • California CPA License
  • 8+ Years Specialized Experience
  • Flat Fee Pricing Model
  • Federal & State Credit Expertise

THE PROBLEM

What Is the California R&D Tax Credit?

The California Research Credit is a state-level tax incentive designed to encourage companies to conduct research and development activities within California.
The credit operates similarly to the federal R&D tax credit but includes several important differences that can create additional opportunities or compliance considerations for taxpayers.
Companies can often claim both the federal credit and the California credit for the same qualifying activities.
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 How Much Is the California Credit Worth?

California currently provides:
A credit equal to 15% of qualified research expenses exceeding a calculated base amount, and
A 24% credit for certain qualified basic research payments.
California currently provides:
A credit equal to 15% of qualified research expenses exceeding a calculated base amount, and
A 24% credit for certain qualified basic research payments.

Here is a concise summary of the potential annual California R&D tax credits based on company profile:

  • SaaS Startup (10 Engineers): $25,000 – $75,000

  • Growth SaaS Company (25 Engineers): $75,000 – $200,000

  • Mid-Market Technology Company: $200,000 – $500,000+

Note: Actual tax credit amounts vary depending on specific company activities and qualified research expenses.
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Our Services

Expert Advice, Built for You

With years of experience and a results-focused approach, we empower businesses to navigate complexity and achieve their goals.

$10,000

R&D Fedral Tax Credit

For early-stage and growing innovative companies building their foundation and maximizing their credit opportunities.
  • Quarterly Connect
  • Federal R&D Tax Credit Calculation & Forms
  • Audit Support Package
    • Project Overview
    • Methodology Memo
    • Support Summaries
    • Contemporaneous Documentation
  • Final Results & Analytics Call
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$15,000

Federal + State R&D Tax Credit

For innovative companies that also want to maximize their State credits.
  • Everything in Federal, and
  • State R&D Tax Credit Analysis
  • State R&D Tax Credit Calculation & Forms
  • Foreign Section 174 Analysis
  • Foreign Section 174 Support Package
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Custom

Acquisition Readiness

For high-growth startups preparing for acquisition or funding rounds. R&D credits can impact your valuation, but only if they're properly documented. We provide acquisition-ready credit documentation, audit defense, and investor-grade reporting to help you unlock full value at the negotiating table.
  • Custom R&D Credit Study
  • Investor-Ready Reports
  • Historical Lookbacks & Cleanup
  • Full Documentation & Support for Due Diligence
  • Audit-Ready Filing Review
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Your Time is Valuable.
We Make Every Second Count.

Up to
40%
of leaders’ time goes to
R&D Tax Assestment.
Get a Free R&D Tax Assessment
WHY R&D TAX ADVISORS

Built Specifically for Engineering-Driven Companies

R&D tax credits are not a one-time exercise.

Our quarterly check-ins help clients improve documentation and maximize future credits as they scale.
Data-driven Insights
  • Proven track record
  • Expertise in Ai Startups
  • 8+ Years Experience
Learn More
CPA-Led Technical Expertise

Led by a California and Nevada licensed CPA with a Master’s in Business Taxation from USC and more than eight years specializing exclusively in R&D tax credits.

Our compensation is not tied to the size of your credit claim.

That means our focus stays on defensibility, accuracy, and long-term value rather than maximizing the credit simply to increase our fee.

We work directly with founders, finance leaders, and engineering teams throughout the process with regular communication and structured check-ins.

Our process focuses on creating supportable documentation that aligns with IRS requirements and can withstand scrutiny if challenged.

We understand software releases, sprint cycles, technical uncertainty, prototype iterations, manufacturing improvements, and product development lifecycles.

R&D tax credits are not a one-time exercise.

Our quarterly check-ins help clients improve documentation and maximize future credits as they scale.

Our Vision

Industires We Serve

SaaS Companies

We prioritize strategic clarity, sustainable growth, and measurable impact, ensuring businesses stay ahead in a dynamic market.

AI Startups

Combining data-driven insights with tailored solutions, we create actionable strategies that drive real business results.

Engineering Firms

Years of hands-on consulting have helped organizations navigate complexity, unlock growth, and achieve lasting transformation.

Biotech Companies

We prioritize strategic clarity, sustainable growth, and measurable impact, ensuring businesses stay ahead in a dynamic market.

Healthtech Companies

Combining data-driven insights with tailored solutions, we create actionable strategies that drive real business results.

Have a Challenge or an Idea?
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OUR PROCESS

A Transparent, Collaborative Process Designed Around Your Team

From emerging startups to established global leaders, our clients rely on our expertise to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve measurable results.
Claim Your Free Strategy Session
Discovery Call
20–30 minute conversation to understand your business, engineering activities, and current tax structure.
Strategy Call & Preliminary Estimate
We review your potential opportunity, explain how the credit works, and provide a preliminary estimate.
Credit Study & Onboarding Engagement
Secure data collection and onboarding through our client portal. We analyze qualified activities, costs, and supporting documentation.
Final Deliverables & Filing Support
Completed calculations, documentation packages, and filing support for your CPA.
$10M+
In Cost Savings Identified
Optimizing operations for sustainable profitability.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Technical Tax Expertise Backed by Real Experience

  • Master of Business Taxation (MBT), University of Southern California
  • Licensed California CPA
  • Licensed Nevada CPA
  • 8+ years specializing in R&D tax credits
  • Former international accounting firm experience
  • Experience supporting large multi-entity R&D credit programs

We bring enterprise-level technical rigor to growing engineering-driven companies that want a more specialized and collaborative advisory experience.

Speak with an R&D Tax Expert
Know About Us
Chris Peters
President

FAQ

Can companies claim both federal and California credits?

Yes. Many companies claim both credits simultaneously

Generally, California credits apply only to research performed within California.

Most taxpayers claim the credit using California Form FTB 3523

No. However, unused credits can generally be carried forward indefinitely until utilized

Absolutely. Many early-stage California startups qualify for both federal and state incentives.

Solar Technology Company
6 Engineers
$54,000 in federal R&D credits applied directly against tax liability

Had never previously explored the R&D credit. After reviewing their development work the technical problem-solving behind their solar technology the credit was clearly there. The leadership team now has a predictable annual process in place. The credit no longer falls through the cracks.
45%
Revenue Growth After Expansion
Space Technology Startup
16 Engineers
$165,000+ in federal R&D credits recovered $110,000+ in state R&D credits generated

Previously using an automated provider for two years. When we reviewed their actual development work, we found qualifying activity that had been missed not from carelessness, but because a standardized process couldn't account for the specific engineering their team was doing. Capital from the corrected study was used to extend runway and support additional hires.
30%
Revenue Growth After Expansion
Vinit Gupta
ClearWorld
I spoke to 12 to 15 firms before finding Chris. What stood out was his responsiveness, patience, and ability to guide us through a complex process clearly. From the initial engagement through execution, he made the process easy to navigate and helped us secure a meaningful R&D tax credit benefit.
45%
Revenue Growth After Expansion
Henry Huie
President, CHROME Accounting, LLC
This is how fast in-person networking can work. I met Chris W. Peters, CPA for coffee on Monday and he educated me about R&D tax credits and by the end of the week I connected him to one of my clients that may utilize his services. Chris was not the first R&D tax credit specialist to reach out to me, but he was the first one that was able to meet me in person. Being "first" to meet in person isn't the only factor, but it created the opportunity to build trust and rapport. We connected through our experiences at Big 4, being newer business owners. Chris Help me in claiming my R&D Credit which I was never aware about it In my opinion, Chris is the best person for R&D Credit.
30%
Cost Reduction Through Process Optimization
Brendan Conaway
COO, LongShot Space Technologies
“You've been incredibly responsive and explained the R&D tax credit process in a way that's easy to understand. It's obvious you're here to help — not just extract value. This is the first time I've felt like I truly understand how the tax credit works.”
3x
Revenue Growth After Expansion
What Our Clients Say
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