How is the research allowance paid out?
The research allowance is paid out by offsetting against corporation tax.
- If corporation tax is due, the tax burden is directly reduced by the research allowance.
- If the research allowance exceeds the tax burden due, the remaining amount is paid out to the company — even if no corporation tax has to be paid (e.g. in the event of losses, as is usual for startups in the initial phase).
Example:
A company receives a research allowance of 500,000 euros and has a corporate income tax liability of 20,000 euros. First, the 20,000 euros will be fully offset by the allowance. The remaining amount of 480,000 euros is paid out to the company tax-free.
When is the research allowance paid out?
The same applies here: The research allowance is paid out against corporation tax.
- First, the research allowance is applied for and approved by the certifying body for the entire duration of the project.
- An application must then be submitted to the tax office via ELSTER - but only for financial years that have already been completed.
- The tax office sets the allowance in a separate administrative act. This assessment is independent of the corporation tax calculation.
- The payment is finally made with the next corporate income tax return, as the allowance is offset against the tax.
How can the research allowance be paid quickly?
To avoid delays, the tax advisor should indicate in the next corporate income tax return that an application for research allowance is being filed (Appendix WA/12 Research Allowance, lines 41-44).
If it is planned to submit applications on an ongoing basis, it is advisable to provide this information annually. For example, the tax office can postpone the assessment of the tax until the application for a research allowance has been received.
What to do if the tax return has already been filed?
In this case, the research allowance is only applied for and paid out with the next corporate income tax return. This may result in a delay of up to one year. Therefore, the tax advisor should indicate in the next tax return that an application for a research allowance is being filed. The ELSTER document can already be submitted regardless of the tax return.
Tip: If the tax return has only recently been filed, it is worth a quick call to the tax office. It often takes a few weeks before the declaration is processed. During this time, information about research allowances can be added retrospectively. For example, the tax office waits to set the tax and can offset the allowance in the same step.
Practical tips and tips
- Submission of application: After receipt of the funding letter, the research allowance can only be applied for from the tax office for financial years that have already been completed. This is done via ELSTER. A separate ELSTER form is submitted for each marketing year.
- Corporation tax return: The application for offsetting the research allowance is entered in the corporation tax return (Annex WA/12 Research Allowance, lines 41-44).
- Recently filed tax return: If the last tax return has already been filed without ticking the appropriate box and no tax return is yet available, it is often recommended to make a quick call to the tax office to clarify whether it is still possible to offset the research allowance.