---
title: The IRS Rewrote the Rules of R&D Tax Credits. Are You Ready?
description: "IRS Form 6765: Claim the R&D tax credit. Updated forms & instructions are crucial for businesses with research activities."
---

[Acena Blog - Industry Insight From Our Tax Experts ](https://www.acenaconsulting.com/blog)

# [The IRS Rewrote the Rules of R&D Tax Credits. Are You Ready?](https://www.acenaconsulting.com/blog/form6765-update2024)

 Written by [Rae Fox-Smoltz, BSBA, BSENRE, Head of R&D](https://www.acenaconsulting.com/blog/author/rae) | Mar 3, 2025 8:50:30 PM

American companies conducting qualified research and development (R&D) may claim the Credit for Increasing Research Activities (i.e., the federal R&D tax credit) to [increase their cash flow, reduce their tax liability, and maximize their time](https://www.acenaconsulting.com/blog/beyond-compliance). 

Businesses can claim the federal R&D tax credit by documenting [qualified R&D activities](https://www.acenaconsulting.com/blog/four-part-test), capturing [qualified research expenses](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/41#b_1) (QREs) – including wages for qualified services and supply costs – and reporting the calculated credit amount when filing their annual tax returns.

The IRS recently updated Form 6765. The current version for the tax year 2024, called [Rev. ](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f6765.pdf)[December 2024](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f6765.pdf), is now required and includes new sections and detailed reporting requirements. While the completion [instructions](https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i6765) were revised in January 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is [accepting feedback](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-requests-feedback-on-draft-instructions-for-form-6765-credit-for-increasing-research-activities#:~:text=Feedback%20regarding%20the%20tax%20year,clear%20and%20updated%20guidance%20on) through June 30, 2025.

Understanding these policy changes is essential for remaining in compliance with accurate, complete filings.

##### **Key Changes to Form 6765**

Let’s review the new sections and items of Form 6765.

- **Items A & B: **

- **Section E—Other Information: **

- **Section F—Qualified Research Expenses Summary: **

- **Section G—Business Component Information:**

##### **Takeaways by Tax Year**

- **Tax Year 2024:**
  
    - While populating Section G remains optional, businesses must complete Items A & B and Sections E & F.
    - Prepare to meet the increased reporting requirements of Section E.
- Tax Years 2025 and later: 
    - Complying with Section G will require the meticulous record-keeping of business components.
    - Businesses should prepare now. [Schedule a free consultation](https://meetings.hubspot.com/randy-eickhoff?uuid=41df5cd2-5d98-43bc-8e39-d9e0fe9f8c79&__hstc=135015022.d652028c05328375e4453175812cef77.1726500807997.1741026660613.1741034597297.173&__hssc=135015022.2.1741034597297&__hsfp=1536433112) today to receive immediate assistance from [Randy Eickhoff, CPA](https://www.linkedin.com/in/randyeickhoffcpa/), Founder & Head Coach at Acena.  
          - Develop [documentation systems](https://www.acenaconsulting.com/blog/documentation) for tracking business components and their associated QREs.
          - Understanding the new rules related to ASC 730 expensing and reporting at least 80 percent of total QREs.

##### **Stay Informed**

- [Sign up for our free, monthly webinar](https://www.acenaconsulting.com/cracking-the-tax-code-for-rd-interactive-workshop), next on **March 18**: “Cracking the (Tax) Code for R&D.” 
    - This workshop provides **one CPE credit** for professionals who are keeping up with continuing education.
- Visit our [Acena Events](https://www.acenaconsulting.com/acena-events) page to stay abreast of all upcoming events.

//

Edited by [Laura Whittenburg, MSBME](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurawhittenburg/), Sr. Technical Writer at Acena Consulting.

[View full post](https://www.acenaconsulting.com/blog/form6765-update2024)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Rae Fox-Smoltz, BSBA, BSENRE, Head of R&D"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-03-04T19:02:45.746Z",
  "datePublished" : "2025-03-03T20:50:30Z",
  "headline" : "The IRS Rewrote the Rules of R&D Tax Credits. Are You Ready?",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 436,
    "url" : "https://www.acenaconsulting.com/hubfs/1.png",
    "width" : 772
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.acenaconsulting.com/blog/form6765-update2024",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60.0,
      "url" : "https://www.acenaconsulting.com/hubfs/acena-logo%20only%20no%20background.png",
      "width" : 54.000004
    },
    "name" : "Acena Consulting Blog on US Tax Incentives"
  }
}
```