Changes coming to the R&DTI Form

Here’s what you need to know

From 15 August 2025, a new version of the R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI) Application Form will be available. This update reflects a significant redesign aimed at increasing legislative alignment, streamlining pre- and post-registration reviews, and improving the overall registration experience.

Key changes

The updated form will contain changes focused on the R&D project and activity descriptions. Specific changes include:

• Introduction of new questions, likely focusing on the unknown outcomes and supporting-only R&D claims.
• Updated guidance and increased character limits to allow for more information to be provided.
• Simplification of some text fields with drop-downs and tick boxes.

All other sections of the form will remain unchanged.

What this means for claimants

The current version of the Application Form remains usable until 14 August. After this date, all new applications must use the updated form.

Claimants should note that all draft Application Forms created within the portal will be deleted once the new form goes live on 15 August. To avoid losing progress and needing to potentially re-draft their application, claimants wanting to lodge early should aim to finalise their draft applications as soon as practical.

Whilst the R&D Application Form is changing, the ATO’s R&D Tax Incentive Schedule will remain unchanged, with no updates to the R&D Tax Offset calculations.

We're here to help

Ascentium Australia will share further updates via the Ascentium Australia Insights and the R&D Unwound Newsletter.

If you would like more information on how the updated Application Form could impact your R&D Claim, please get in touch with your Ascentium Australia R&D Consultant or Victoria Campbell at victoria.campbell@incorpadvisory.au.