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The IRS recently announced in a news release (IR-2025-99) that the requirement to provide detailed information regarding business components for research credit claims has been delayed.
As a result, completing Section G of Form 6765 will be optional for 2025 tax years while the agency continues to seek feedback on the instructions for Form 6765. Additionally, the IRS extended the research credit refund claim transition period through Jan. 10, 2027.
Final versions of the Form 6765 and its related instructions were published earlier this year (see our prior story). In response to external stakeholder comments, the IRS extended the comment period for Form 6765 and its instructions through March 31, 2026. Revised Form 6765 instructions for tax year 2025 are expected to be released in January 2026.
Grant Thornton Insight:
Delaying the requirement to complete Section G until 2026 is a welcome development for taxpayers, and many taxpayers are expected to opt out of completing this section while it remains optional. Collecting the detailed information required for Section G reporting may be burdensome, and it is unclear how the IRS will use this additional information or what benefit there is to optional reporting. However, taxpayers should begin preparing for the 2026 requirements, including conducting robust research credit studies that capture business component-level information. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue submitting feedback regarding Form 6765 and its instructions through the March 31, 2026, deadline for consideration in the 2026 tax year.
Taxpayers submitting a claim for refund for the research credit are afforded a transition period, which provides 45 days to perfect a research credit claim for refund; otherwise, the claim will be deemed invalid, and the amended return will be rejected. Previously, this transition period was in effect through Jan. 10, 2026; the IRS has now extended it for another year, through Jan. 10, 2027.
Grant Thornton Insight:
Extending the research credit claim transition period through Jan. 10, 2027, is a positive development for taxpayers and highlights the agency’s recognition of the effort required to comply with the additional information requirements.
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