30 April R&D Tax Incentive lodgment deadline approaching

9 April 2025

Companies with a 30 June 2024 year end wishing to register research and development (R&D) activities for the R&D tax incentive must do so through the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) R&D tax incentive customer portal by 11:59pm AEST 30 April 2025.

If unable to meet this deadline, R&D entities can apply for extensions of time, which must be done on the portal. Extension applications should be made before the deadline. DISR states on its website: ‘A request for an extension of 14 days (or less) made before the deadline will be approved.’ Other extension requests, including those made after the deadline, will be considered having regard to the reasons given, evidence supplied, whether the R&D entity has applied for any extensions before, and anything else that may be relevant, and will not automatically be granted an extension.

If you are considering submitting an R&D claim for the first time, it is important to seek advice as soon as possible. This may also apply to R&D entities that usually prepare their own R&D claims but may be unsure about how to apply DISR’s guidance or the legislation.

DISR R&D application processing times

DISR’s service standard for processing R&D applications and providing companies with Notices of Registration is to have 95% of applications processed within:

• 40 business days for first time registrants
• 20 business days for applications submitted within six months of the end of an income period
• 80 business days for applications submitted six months or more after the end of an income period.

Companies should consider this service standard against their tax return lodgment deadlines and, if expecting a refund, as part of cash flow planning.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.