O Tax Incentives System à Business Research and Development (SIFIDE) continues to establish itself as one of the main instruments for supporting innovation in Portugal. More than just a tax benefit, it is a strategic tool that allows companies to recover a significant portion of the investment made in activities Research and Development (R&D), strengthening competitiveness and the ability to grow.
Against a backdrop of high production costs, pressure on margins and the constant need for innovation, the SIFIDE it plays a central role in the financial sustainability of R&D projects, particularly for companies that adopt a strategy of continuous innovation.
O SIFIDE allows the deduction from the collection of Income Tax on Collective Persons (IRC) of a relevant portion of the expenses associated with R&D activities, including applied research, experimental development, the creation of new products, processes or services, and/or significant improvements to existing ones. Unlike traditional financial incentives, it is not dependent on tenders or budgetary allocations, being an automatic fiscal scheme provided that the legal and technical criteria are met.
They can benefit from SIFIDE all the passive subjects of IRC that develop R&D activities in Portugal, regardless of their size or sector of activity. The activities can be developed internally or in collaboration with external entities, such as universities or research centers.
Among other things, eligible expenses include personnel costs, the acquisition of research services, consumables and raw materials, equipment and software, industrial property, participation in R&D entities, and operating expenses. Proper identification and technical and accounting allocation of these expenses are essential to maximize the tax benefit.
O SIFIDE It must be integrated strategically from the planning phase of projects, in coordination with other sources of funding, innovation strategies, and fiscal planning. Given recent legislative and interpretative changes, specialized monitoring is increasingly relevant.
No CONSULT, o SIFIDE It is handled in an integrated manner, combining technical, fiscal and sectorial knowledge, from the evaluation of the eligibility potential to the monitoring of the application. The true potential of SIFIDE It is achieved when it is integrated into a clear innovation and funding strategy.