Carefully Prepared Credit Studies. Built for Confidence.
Alexander & Blake helps innovative South Carolina businesses identify qualifying R&D activities, prepare well-supported credit studies, and coordinate filing with clarity and care — so you can claim with confidence.
Companies Doing Technical Work.
Established Businesses
South Carolina companies investing in product development, process improvement, or software — whether claiming the credit for the first time or seeking a more thoughtful advisory approach.
Learn more →CPA Firms
You maintain the client relationship. We serve as a dedicated specialty resource — preparing the credit study, documentation, and filing support on your behalf.
Explore our partnership →Early-Stage Companies
Pre-revenue or early-stage businesses may apply R&D credits against payroll taxes — up to $500K per year under the PATH Act — even without income tax liability.
Learn more →
Careful Analysis. Clear Documentation. Quiet Confidence.
We believe strong R&D credit work should reflect the seriousness of the underlying business. That means understanding how your company actually operates, identifying qualifying activities with care, and producing support that is organized, substantiated, and thoughtfully prepared.
Specialized Focus
R&D tax credits are not a side service — they are the core focus of our firm. That concentration produces a higher standard of work.
Documentation-Driven Process
Well-prepared project narratives, thorough financial substantiation, and structured technical documentation — organized for clarity and built for review.
Coordinated Filing Support
We work directly with your CPA to deliver Form 6765 support, contemporaneous documentation, and clear filing coordination.
Prepared for Examination
Every engagement is prepared with the expectation that the work may one day be reviewed. That standard shapes how we conduct interviews, organize support, and present the final deliverable.
From Initial Conversation to Completed Study.
Initial Conversation
A complimentary consultation to understand your business, review qualifying activities, and discuss what a well-supported credit study would look like.
Eligibility Review
We analyze your activities against the IRS four-part test to confirm qualification and identify the scope of the engagement.
Interviews & Data
Guided technical interviews with your team and organized data collection through our secure portal — designed to minimize disruption.
Study & Documentation
Complete credit study with project narratives, QRE calculations, and structured documentation — prepared with care and organized for review.
Filing & Support
Coordinated delivery to your CPA for filing, with ongoing audit support included at no additional cost.
Full-Lifecycle Credit Advisory
From initial identification through filing and ongoing support — we manage the complete R&D tax credit engagement.
Federal R&D Credit
IRC Section 41 credit studies with complete engineering analysis, QRE calculations, and structured documentation.
SC State Credits
South Carolina offers additional R&D credits that can be coordinated alongside your federal benefit.
Amended Returns
Up to three years of open tax returns may be eligible for amended filing — recovering credits from prior years.
Payroll Tax Offset
Qualifying early-stage companies can apply credits against payroll taxes — up to $500K per year under the PATH Act.
Audit Support
Every study includes ongoing audit support — documentation, representation, and resolution at no additional cost.
Aligned Incentives. Clear Terms.
We operate on a contingency basis — our fee is calculated as a percentage of credits successfully identified. If we identify no qualifying credits, there is no charge.
No retainers, no hourly fees, no deposits. The initial consultation is complimentary and the engagement begins at zero cost.
We earn a percentage of the credits we identify. Our fee is paid only after your credit is filed. Our incentives are aligned with yours.
Ongoing audit support is included with every credit study at no additional cost. We stand behind the work we prepare.
What Typical Engagements Look Like
Illustrative examples based on typical South Carolina engagements. Individual outcomes depend on qualifying activities and expenses.
Federal and SC state credits combined. 22 employees, with qualifying activities in custom tooling and process development.
Current yearThree years of amended returns recovered credits from open tax years. 40 engineers engaged in qualifying development work.
3-year lookbackQualifying activities in prototype development and simulation. Study completed and delivered in 45 days.
Current yearThese examples are illustrative and based on typical engagement profiles. Individual results depend on qualifying activities, expenses, and tax situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities qualify for the R&D tax credit?
Any activity that involves developing new or improved products, processes, software, techniques, formulas, or inventions may qualify — including in traditional industries like manufacturing, food production, and construction. The IRS evaluates qualification using a four-part test: permitted purpose, technological in nature, elimination of uncertainty, and process of experimentation.
How long does the process take?
From the initial conversation to a completed credit study typically takes approximately 60 days. The complimentary consultation takes about 30 minutes. Data collection is managed through our secure portal and is designed to require minimal time from your team.
What documentation is required?
We typically work with payroll records, contractor invoices, project descriptions, and general ledger data. Our portal provides a guided checklist, and our team manages the organization and analysis of all materials on your behalf.
Do you coordinate with CPA firms?
Yes — CPA coordination is a core part of how we work. We serve as a dedicated specialty resource, delivering complete credit studies with Form 6765 support and clear filing documentation. Many of our engagements are referred through CPA relationships.
What states do you serve?
We focus on South Carolina, where an additional state R&D credit can be coordinated alongside the federal benefit. Our understanding of SC industries, regulations, and the local business landscape allows us to provide more focused and relevant support.
What is the fee structure?
We operate on a contingency basis — our fee is calculated as a percentage of credits successfully identified. There are no upfront costs, retainers, or hourly fees. If we identify no qualifying credits, there is no charge.
Request a Complimentary Consultation
A brief conversation to understand your business, evaluate whether meaningful credits may be available, and outline what a well-supported engagement would look like. No obligation.