Secrets to Success and traps to avoid
You could get up to 43.5% of your development costs back from a R&D grant.
Check out my free Top 10 Tips to maximise the R&D Incentive.
Don’t want to wait?
— HOW TO GET AN R&D REBATE —
What are my tips as an R&D tax consultant with over 10 years experience and more than 1,000 successful R&D applications?
What is the main issue?
There is a big difference between what Business regards as R&D and what the Government deems as eligible R&D.
What are the problems with getting it wrong?
AusIndustry doesn’t care if you have done R&D or not, they just care about what you have written on your R&D application. Once the deadline is over, you don’t get a chance to resubmit it or change it. Poor R&D applications trigger audits which are very time-consuming. If you are deemed ineligible, any R&D rebates must be paid back with a 50% penalty applied.
What are my tips?
With over 10 years of experience with R&D claims, I have put together my top tips on how to get it right.
You can't afford to leave this money on the table - and you can't afford to get it wrong. Get an expert on your team now.
Big changes for 2022 R&D registrations
In 2022 the requirements have gotten more complex – which is why you need an expert more than ever.
Previously, they wanted you to separate your ‘New Knowledge’ from your ‘Experiments’.
Now they want them linked together in an experiment.
If you label a ‘supporting activity’ as a ‘core activity’ – guess what…. it can be deemed ineligible and any costs associated with it will have to be paid back.
Ben Cusack. Founder of Bulletpoint and Australia’s highest rated grants consultant
1,000+ successful R&D applications
Some recent feedback from clients who I have helped get an R&D grant
“It was an easy experience, they kept in touch and let me know how the process was working.
I was kept very well informed which was really great.
The general level of knowledge of my business by Bulletpoint was impressive. We have gained access to grants we wouldn’t otherwise have known about, with minimal input from our end.”
Scott Williams
Managing Director
“We have already highly recommended Bulletpoint. We most appreciated their proficiency, frequency and helpfulness around communication, and getting the result that we needed.
I continually say to people I have had a positive experience with Ben and the Team, and we will use them again.
The obvious knowledge and understanding of the subject matter was impressive, and this had two benefits to us. The first being it helped us navigate through what we were trying to get through, so we could provide the right information.
Martyn Ryan
CEO
“We would absolutely recommend Bulletpoint. I’ve dealt with Ben and the lady that helped us last year, and find them both to extremely good and helpful, and find the treating of the client very good. Ben is an exceptional people person, he really understands how to speak to people, and how to get the best out of them, which I found really impressive.
John Rezga
General Manager
Get your share of this business changing incentive
GET A REBATE OF UP TO 43.5%
Right advice
Most companies I meet don’t know how to relate what they do in terms of the Government defined R&D Tax legislation.
The other problem is some companies claim too many ineligible costs and risk an audit.
Experience
As well as being a registered tax agent, I have degrees in Engineering and Science.
I bring a scientific approach to ensure that you can maximise the eligibility of your R&D activities.
Make it easier
I know that you would prefer to be working on your business rather than filling out forms.
My approach is to simplify the process and minimise the burden on you.
I want you to keep innovating.
How I do it
I work with your technical team to determine your eligible R&D activities.
I work with your finance team to determine your eligible R&D expenses.
I work with your accountant to prepare your Income Tax Return.
I also help our clients get more than just the R&D grant!
Bulletpoint helped Harry & Larry’s secure a grant of $1.2M. Based in Brunswick, Harry & Larry’s manufacture a range of specialty ice creams. The grant will see 30 new jobs created and investment in a factory expansion with custom engineered production lines, including the latest freezing technology, to make a range of gourmet ice creams and desserts in complex shapes and layers.
Bulletpoint helped the Greater Shepparton City Council secure a grant of $7.2 M. The project will include construction of five new football fields, a new synthetic hockey pitch and athletics track, and eight new netball courts, together with upgrades to existing multipurpose fields. New lighting, pavilions and improved spectator amenities feature in most elements of the project.
Bulletpoint helped Green Bear secure a grant of $500,000. Based in Tottenham, Victoria, Greenbear is a processor of waste and recycled materials. They received funding to build a fully-automated waste sorting line for residential Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste more feasibly and efficiently than current disposal methods.
Bulletoint helped SoftIron secure a grant of $1.5M to open its first manufacturing facility in Australia. The facility will build “clean” computer servers for customers that want to be sure there is no unknown code in their data centres. The project will further bolster Australia’s data infrastructure resilience by locally manufacturing our world-leading data centre solutions.
Bulletpoint helped Ovira to secure a grant of $400,000 to launch their new medtech device in the USA. Ovira was founded by Alice Williams, a 27-year old endometriosis sufferer who was inspired to create the new device after years of searching for a pain-management option for her own endometriosis. When she couldn’t find a solution that was drug-free or didn’t involve invasive procedures, she looked for an alternative.
Bulletpoint helped Cottage Cheese Farm secure a grant of $765,000. Based in Glenroy, Victoria, Cottage Cheese Farm is a specialty cheese manufacturer making mainly Haloumi, Ricotta and Mozzarella cheeses. They received funding to assist with construction of a $6M purpose built cheese and yoghurt manufacturing facility. The project will allow them to expand current operations and introduction of new product lines.
I love government grants! No one knows more about them than me.
Despite the Government’s efforts to cut red tape, grants still take a long time to write and prepare.
They can also be pretty complex.
There is also a big difference between submitting ‘an application’ and submitting a ‘winning application’. I am to simplify the grant application process so that you can concentrate on running your business.
Why does the government support R&D?
The objectives of the R&D Tax Incentive program are to:
- Boost Competitiveness and improve productivity across the Australian economy
- Provide businesses with more predictable, less complex support
- Improve the ability for smaller firms to engage in research and development incentive.
“I emailed Ben as we had a simple query in relation to R&D lodgements for a pre and post consolidation entity and needed confirmation from a R&D specialist.
Ben had assisted us with another client previously and we had found his advice useful.
He was able to provide us with a solution within a few hours of the email”
Amy Huynh
Senior Accountant – Greenfield
“I have first come in contact with Ben when trying to understand differences between some government grants. Two quick emails resolved my query. I am now registered for R&D grants!
Thanks Ben!
I continue reading your emails to stay on top of any new opportunities.”
Stan Zajac
Software Architect – Lake Corp
“We have worked with Bulletpoint for the last 4 years.
Ben and his Team are fantastic.
They have been great help in getting us the R&D tax incentive rebate each year and enabling our business to grow internationally.
Highly recommend.”
Brad Hayden
Director – Audition Magic
But... I have been 'successful' in the past with my R&D claims
I hear this a lot. You haven’t been successful in the past, you just havent been audited. Nearly 10,000 applications are not reviewed by AusIndustry annually. But they can review it in the future. The 2022 R&D Form makes it harder for non-scientifically minded people to describe what they did as eligible R&D. But it makes it easier for AusIndustry to find non-conforming or ineligible applications
Ben Cusack
Founder of Bulletpoint
I started Bulletpoint because I enjoy working with start ups and watching them grow.
I love seeing all the new technology and innovations that people are bringing to market.
My skill is translating what you do into something that the Government wants to invest in.
Some of my best start up clients don’t need me anymore.
They have leveraged grants to grow in the early stages and are now making serious money.
How good would that be!
How do I help businesses?
I tell you plain and simply what grants are available to you at no cost. Most of the time I tell potential clients not to bother applying for grants. But some clients, I wait for the right moment!
No Bullshitting!
If I recommend a grant to you, I also tell you all the reasons why you would and wouldn’t get it. So you can make an informed decision.
Need help getting it?
If you need help with the writing of the grant then I can make the process much easier and increase your chances of getting funded.
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