The expenditures of research and development ("R&D") are generally capital expenses. However, you can choose to deduct these expenditures as current business expenses. You may use one of the two following methods of accounting for R&D expenditures: You may deduct your R&D expenditures in the tax year, in which you paid or incurred, or You may amortize such expenditures over a period of not less than 60 months You must charge to a capital account any R&D expenditures that you do not deduct currently, nor defer and amortize. You may claim the R&D credit against tax for certain qualified R&D expenditures, and combine the credit as one of the components of the general business credit. The R&D credit is a nonrefundable tax credit. For detail information of R&D expenditures, please select from the following topics: Current-year Deduction of R&D Expenditures Amortization of R&D Expenditures