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State program

Florida Research and Development Tax Credit

A capped, competitive credit reserved for corporations in targeted high-technology industries.

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  • Offset only
  • Pre-approval required

Last reviewed October 2026

Program overview

Florida limits its research credit to C corporations operating in specific target industries such as aviation and aerospace, cloud information technology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, materials science and marine sciences. The program operates under a statewide annual allocation, and applications are accepted during a defined window each spring. Because demand routinely exceeds the allocation, awards are commonly prorated, which makes an accurate and early application important.

Eligibility

Florida C corporations in a qualified target industry that also claim the federal research credit for research conducted in Florida. Applications must be filed with the Florida Department of Revenue during the annual application period.

Benefits

Non-refundable credit against Florida corporate income tax, prorated when applications exceed the annual program cap.

Caps, deadlines and forms

Caps and limits

  • The program operates under a statewide annual allocation, and applications are accepted during a defined window each spring.
  • Because demand routinely exceeds the allocation, awards are commonly prorated, which makes an accurate and early application important.
  • Non-refundable credit against Florida corporate income tax, prorated when applications exceed the annual program cap.

Deadlines

  • The program operates under a statewide annual allocation, and applications are accepted during a defined window each spring.
  • Applications must be filed with the Florida Department of Revenue during the annual application period.

Forms

Filing forms are listed by the revenue authority: official source (opens in a new tab).

Florida IDR questions

What an examiner is likely to ask about this credit. S1–S7 apply to every state claim; the rest come from this program's own rules.

  1. S1Confirm the research was physically performed within Florida.
  2. S2Provide the Florida qualified research expense calculation and base amount.
  3. S3Reconcile Florida expenses to the federal Form 6765.
  4. S4Show how wages and supplies were apportioned between Florida and other locations.
  5. S5Provide the Florida return and credit schedule for each year claimed.
  6. S6Show the carryforward schedule for unused Florida credits.
  7. S7Confirm the entity claiming the credit is the entity subject to Florida tax.
  8. FL-1Provide the pre-approval, certification or application filed for the Florida credit, with its filing date.

Draft questions for illustration, reviewed by a specialist before any engagement.

Common weak spots

  • Expenses for research performed outside Florida included in the Florida claim.
  • Missing or late pre-approval: the application or certification was not in place when required.
  • Caps and proration not modelled, so the expected benefit is overstated.
  • Base amount computed from incomplete historical records.

See how your claim holds up

The mock audit drafts these questions for your own claim and scores the evidence behind each answer.

Run a mock audit for Florida

Information on this page is general in nature, not tax advice. Program details change frequently; always confirm current rules with the relevant revenue authority or engage a specialist before acting. Last reviewed October 2026.

Find out what your research actually qualifies for

A scoping conversation takes thirty minutes and costs nothing. You leave with a view on eligibility, likely credit range and the documentation you would need.

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