R&D, Innovation and Design Tax Credits: Eligibility, Documentation and Certification
CMO&A assists companies in assessing, calculating and documenting Italian tax credits relating to research and development, technological innovation, design and aesthetic conception activities, with particular attention to the correct classification of projects and qualifying expenditure.
The applicable rules distinguish between different categories of activities. In 2026:
- the research and development tax credit is available at 10% of the relevant calculation base, up to an annual maximum of €5 million, until the tax period in progress on 31 December 2031;
- the ordinary tax credit for technological innovation, including 4.0 and green innovation activities, ended with the tax period in progress on 31 December 2025;
- a specific tax credit for design and aesthetic conception activities applies again in 2026, subject to the applicable expenditure limits, available resources and specific application procedures.
From project assessment to supporting documentation
We assist companies with:
- assessment of the eligibility of the activities carried out;
- identification and calculation of qualifying expenditure;
- calculation of the tax credit;
- preparation and review of technical and accounting documentation;
- support with the accounting certification of qualifying costs;
- preparation of the documentation file to be retained in the event of a tax audit;
- assessment of whether to obtain the certification of R&D, technological innovation, design and aesthetic conception activities provided for by Article 23 of Italian Decree-Law No. 73/2022.
Correct classification of the activities is particularly important. Research and development, technological innovation and design are subject to different criteria, and a project does not qualify merely because it is innovative in a general business sense.
Accounting certification and certification of qualifying activities
Two different types of certification should be distinguished.
- Accounting certification concerns the actual incurrence of qualifying expenditure and is required under the tax credit rules. For companies that are not legally subject to statutory audit, the cost of this certification may itself qualify for an additional benefit within the limits established by law.
- This is different from the optional certification of qualifying activities introduced by Article 23 of Decree-Law No. 73/2022, which is designed to provide greater certainty regarding the classification of research and development, technological innovation, design and aesthetic conception activities.
The Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy has established the register of authorised certifiers, together with the relevant models and Guidelines for the classification of qualifying activities.
Proper project classification and supporting documentation may therefore help reduce the risk of disputes concerning entitlement to the tax credit.
The service is integrated, where appropriate, with the Firm’s expertise in Patent Box, tax advisory and financial statements and statutory audit, allowing the tax, accounting and documentation aspects of innovation investments to be considered on a coordinated basis.
If your company carries out research and development, technological innovation, design or aesthetic conception activities in Italy and you would like to assess the applicable tax credit or review the supporting documentation, you can arrange an initial meeting with CMO&A by emailing c.orsini@studiassociato.it
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