R&D by AUTOMATAX

R&D Tax Credit Guides

Practical guidance on navigating New Zealand's RDTI and RDLTC schemes, from eligibility to calculation to filing.

10 February 2026

What Is the R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI)?

A comprehensive guide to New Zealand's R&D Tax Incentive scheme, including eligibility criteria, how the 15% tax credit works, and how to apply.

12 February 2026

RDTI vs RDLTC: Which R&D Scheme Is Right for Your Business?

Comparing New Zealand's two R&D incentive schemes - the R&D Tax Incentive and the R&D Loss Tax Credit - to help you decide which one to claim.

15 February 2026

How to Calculate Your R&D Tax Credit in New Zealand

Step-by-step guide to calculating your RDTI and RDLTC tax credits, with worked examples for New Zealand businesses.

18 February 2026

5 Common Mistakes in R&D Tax Credit Claims

Avoid these frequent errors that NZ businesses make when claiming R&D tax credits under the RDTI and RDLTC schemes.

20 February 2026

What Counts as Eligible R&D Expenditure in New Zealand?

A detailed breakdown of what costs qualify as eligible R&D expenditure under the RDTI and RDLTC schemes, with examples for NZ businesses.

22 February 2026

R&D Tax Credits for Software Companies in New Zealand

How NZ software and SaaS companies can claim R&D tax credits for development work that involves genuine technical uncertainty.

25 February 2026

Top 10 R&D Tax Credit Questions We Get Asked in New Zealand

Practical answers to the most common questions NZ businesses ask about RDTI and RDLTC claims, from eligibility and refundability caps to filing deadlines.

25 March 2026

RDLTC Deadline for FY25: 30 April Is Closer Than You Think

The R&D Loss Tax Credit deadline for FY2025 is 30 April 2026. Here's what NZ startups need to know - and how we're helping clients recover over $500k in tax loss credits across FY25 and FY26.

7 May 2026

New to R&D Tax Credits? Here's What You Need to Know

We're now helping businesses claim R&D tax credits for the first time. Three clients signed up in May alone - here's how first-time claims compare across RDLTC, RDTI, and our New to R&D pathway.

7 May 2026

The Best Free Resource for NZ R&D Funding - And Why You Don't Need Us

What Founders Want has published a comprehensive NZ Government Support Directory for 2026. Here's what's in it, how to use it directly, and an honest take on when it makes sense to get help.

22 May 2026

In 17 Minutes, We Found ~$1 Million in R&D Credits They Didn't Know Existed

How one accounting decision - capitalising software development costs to minimise losses - nearly wiped out years of eligible RDTI and RDLTC claims for a New Zealand startup.

22 May 2026

RDTI Changes 2026: In-Year Payments, Late Filing Flexibility, and What It Means for NZ Businesses

The government has announced the most significant updates to the R&D Tax Incentive in several years - in-year payment capability, Commissioner discretion on late filings, and adjustments to the internal software cap.

17 August 2026

R&D Tax Credits: Can You Do It Yourself?

An honest comparison of DIY versus working with a consultant for New Zealand R&D tax credits — what is actually free, what it costs in time, and what gets missed. Including a real case where an accountant told a client they couldn't access the RDLTC. They could.

17 August 2026

Why R&D Time Tracking Is No Longer Optional in FY2027

Four months into FY2027, the businesses that will claim successfully in April 2028 are the ones capturing time allocation data right now. Here's what the wage intensity test requires, and how to build a system that actually works.

4 September 2026

R&D Tax Credit Documentation: What NZ Law Actually Requires You to Keep

Documenting your R&D work isn't optional paperwork — it's a legal record-keeping duty and, for the New to R&D Grant, an explicit deliverable. Here's what the law and the guidance actually say, and how to have evidence ready before IRD ever asks.

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