R&D Expenses: Capitalised or Expensed? Pros and Cons

Understanding R&D Expenses: Capitalization vs. Expense Recognition

In the realm of technology startups and entrepreneurial ventures, a frequently asked question revolves around the treatment of Research & Development (R&D) expenses. Should these expenses be capitalized, spread out over time, or simply expensed immediately? Deciphering the right approach involves several critical considerations that impact financial reporting and business valuation. If you’re navigating the complexities of R&D expenses and seeking guidance, read on to gain clarity on the matter.

R&D Capitalization: An In-Depth Insight

Capitalization Unveiled

The concept of capitalizing R&D expenses involves recognizing these costs over a specific time period by either amortizing or depreciating them, rather than accounting for them as they occur in your profit-and-loss statement. This strategic shift relocates the capitalized costs from their original expense category on the profit-and-loss statement, typically located above Earnings Before Interest and Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA), to depreciation and amortization expenses, which appear below EBITDA.

Identifying Capitalizable R&D Expenses

For tech startups, several R&D expenses qualify as capitalizable. These often encompass:

1. Salaries of Development and Engineering Teams: This includes the compensation paid to the professionals responsible for product development.
2. Hardware and Software Acquisition: Costs incurred in obtaining necessary hardware and software resources for R&D activities.
3. Third-Party Development Fees: Expenditures associated with outsourcing R&D tasks to external development teams or contractors.

Illustrating R&D Capitalization Through a Case Study

Evaluating Capitalization vs. Expense Recognition

Consider a scenario where your company incurred $25,000 in software development expenses during September 2022, primarily related to your tech team’s salaries. In this context, you face a pivotal decision regarding the treatment of these expenses:

1. Capitalized Approach: Opting for capitalization would entail recognizing these expenses as depreciation and amortization (D&A) over a defined period, rather than treating them as immediate overhead costs on your profit-and-loss statement. Assuming a capitalization period of 3 years, you would record $694 in D&A for September 2022 ($25,000 / 36 months), with the same amount being recognized for the subsequent 35 months.
2. Expense Recognition: Alternatively, you could choose to expense the entire $25,000 in salary expenses during September 2022, reflecting an immediate impact on your profit-and-loss statement.

The Rationalization Behind R&D Capitalization

Matching Expenses with Expected Revenues

The key rationale for amortizing capitalized expenses is to align these costs with the corresponding expected revenues. In our previous example, the $25,000 spent in September 2022 is anticipated to generate revenues over a specific period, which could span anywhere from 12 to 24 months, or even extend to 8 years. The challenge lies in accurately estimating the revenue generation timeline for these expenses.

To address this uncertainty, regulations stipulate the duration over which R&D expenses must be amortized, although these rules can vary by country. For instance, U.S. companies generally amortize R&D expenses over a 5-year period. Thus, instead of recording the full $25,000 as expenses in September, you would account for $416.67 in R&D amortization expense over the subsequent 5 years.

The Pros and Cons of R&D Capitalization

Pros of R&D Capitalization

Tech startups often opt for R&D capitalization due to several advantages it offers:

1. Inflated EBITDA: Capitalization artificially elevates EBITDA by shifting expenses that were originally recorded above EBITDA to the depreciation and amortization category. This provides two benefits: a perception of increased profitability and enhanced business valuation, particularly when applying an EBITDA multiple valuation approach.Note: It’s essential to recognize that these advantages are primarily optical and won’t fundamentally alter your company’s profitability or valuation, as experienced investors understand this.
2. Inflated Balance Sheet: By categorizing expenses as D&A costs, they are treated as capital investments (Capex) that are depreciated over time. Consequently, capitalizing expenses contributes to an increase in assets on your balance sheet, fostering the impression of augmented business value.Note: Similar to the EBITDA-related advantages, this is primarily a matter of optics and may not substantially change your business’s actual value.

Cons of R&D Capitalization

While R&D capitalization might seem advantageous from accounting and valuation standpoints, it carries a significant drawback:

1. Higher Taxation: Capitalizing expenses results in higher reported profits, leading to increased tax liabilities. Using our earlier example, if you capitalize $25,000 in R&D expenses, your profits would rise by approximately $24,000, leading to higher tax payments. Assuming a 20% corporate tax rate, this could translate to approximately $5,000 in additional tax burdens.

Fortunately, many countries have specific tax regulations pertaining to R&D capitalization. This may grant you the opportunity to deduct a portion of your R&D amortization expenses from your corporate tax obligations. For a precise assessment of your eligibility for R&D tax credits, it is advisable to consult with your accountant or a tax specialist familiar with your jurisdiction’s regulations.

The Dilemma: Capitalization or Immediate Expense Recognition?

Aligning Financial Statements with Reality

Ultimately, your financial statements should closely reflect your company’s situation. If certain expenses hold the characteristics of assets, they should be capitalized. To better understand what qualifies as capitalizable expenses, let’s explore two distinct examples: a hotel company and a Software as a Service (SaaS) company.

Hotel Company Scenario: In the case of a hotel company, any expense related to the purchase of a building intended for conversion into a hotel is treated as a capital investment (Capex). This is because such an expense is expected to generate revenue over time. Consequently, it finds its place in the cash flow statement, rather than the profit-and-loss statement, and is depreciated gradually over time.

SaaS Company Perspective: For a SaaS company, software development constitutes an asset that generates revenue over an extended period. Hence, these expenses are considered R&D and can be capitalized. They appear in the cash flow statement under Capex, with the corresponding depreciation reflected in the profit-and-loss statement.

In both examples, the purchase of the building and software development are viewed as assets rather than operating expenses. This underscores the importance of recognizing R&D expenses that possess asset-like qualities as capitalizable expenses. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that not all R&D expenses qualify for capitalization, as definitions may vary based on accounting principles (e.g., GAAP or IFRS) and jurisdiction-specific tax considerations. Consulting with a professional consultant or tax advisor is advisable for precise guidance in this area.