Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA) is the federal government department responsible for determining whether companies’ activities meet the legislative criteria eligible under the R&D Tax Incentive. The 2025 Annual Report for IISA was recently released, and a section of the report provides an update on Legal matters and litigation relevant to the department. Litigation on R&D activity now usually starts in the The Administrative Review Tribunal of Australia (ART), rather than Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). However, this change is not likely […]
The R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI) is co-administered by two government agencies: 1: The Department of Industry, Science and Resources on behalf of Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA): The department registers companies for the R&DTI program and makes findings on the eligibility of R&D activities. and 2: The Australian Taxation Office (ATO): The ATO is responsible for administering R&DTI expenditure claims, and conducts reviews and audits on substantiation of claims and other matters. The Commissioner of Taxation’s Annual Report 2024–25 was published in late October 2025. This […]
In the May 2024 federal budget, The Albanese Government announced a strategic examination and review of Australia’s Research and Development (R&D) system to align it with national priorities and to improve outcomes. In late 2024, then Industry Minister Ed Husic announced specific details to launch the review. It was noted that the review will assess how to maximise the value of R&D investments, strengthen industry linkages, and support national priorities, and that the review will examine existing systems, such as […]
Media reports have emerged this week of a multi-million-dollar tax dispute for R&D Tax Incentive claims made by Inghams Group Limited. The ABC has reported that: The company’s potential claim totals more than $50 million in taxpayer funds — which, in the context of $11.2 billion given out through the entire ATO program in 2021-22, is far from chickenfeed. It is understood to be about tax incentives claimed for research and development (R&D) around feed the animals eat. The tax […]