Bloomberg Tax
March 8, 2023, 7:00 PMUpdated: March 9, 2023, 9:36 PM

R&D Accounting Change Takes Effect, Congress Could Act (1)

Amber Gorski
Amber Gorski
Analyst
Benjamin Rubelmann
Benjamin Rubelmann
Analyst
Fatima Pervaiz
Fatima Pervaiz
Analyst
Robert Trott
Robert Trott
Analyst

For the first time many practitioners will have to capitalize and amortize their research and development expenditures since Congress hasn’t reversed rules now in effect this year.

The shift from immediate deduction to ratable amortization under Section 174 for the 2022 tax year will be treated as a change in a method of accounting. While some practitioners may want to wait for further guidance on amortizing from the IRS, a Treasury official advised against it, saying at a February American Bar Association conference that nothing was imminent.

Despite the Section 174 change, some expenses can still be deducted under the ...