Swanson Reed’s initial analysis of the R&D announcements in May 2026 are summarised here. After we considered these proposed changes in greater detail, we are particularly alarmed about a proposed change announced in the Budget to the R&D Tax Incentive that we feel has not been communicated well nor understood by those whom it may impact… We fear the announced proposal to limit access to the Refundable R&D Tax Offset to firms operating less than ten years will be determined based on an […]
Leading up to the May 2026 Federal Budget there were reports of modest changes likely to be made to the R&D Tax Incentive (mainly around increases to expenditure thresholds) however there was not expected to be any major reforms announced given that: The Government had only recently (in March 2026) received the final report from The Strategic Examination of R&D; It was anticipated that The Government would conduct consultation before proposing any major changes to th R&D Tax Incentive. Surprisingly, in the […]
The 2026–27 Australian Federal Budget will be delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Tuesday, 12 May 2026. The AFR has reported today that: Treasurer Jim Chalmers is expected to raise the current $150 million cap on R&D expenses that can be claimed, in a move that will immediately help tech giant Atlassian and hearing device maker Cochlear, but is also aimed at making Australia a more internationally competitive investment destination. A review of the R&D and innovation system led […]
Watch this video for an insightful summary of the latest R&D Tax Incentive Industry Update, produced in March 2026: R&D Tax policy discussion from the strategic examination. Where relevant, the content of this video may have been based on guidance publications released by AusIndustry and the ATO. Additional guidance material on the R&D Tax Incentive is often progressively published by the programme regulators on their respective websites: ATO AusIndustry Please get in touch with our office if you require assistance, […]