Tax insight

New timelines for Form 6765 provide welcome relief

Insight
5 minute read
October 02, 2025

What happened?

The IRS announced in an October 1 news release (IR-2025-99) that it is delaying the requirement to disclose detailed business component information within the income tax return from tax year 2025 to tax year 2026. The news release also extends the comment period with respect to the new reporting requirements and states that publication of a revised set of instructions is expected in early 2026.

Separately, the news release states that the IRS will extend through January 10, 2027 the research credit refund claim transition period, which gives taxpayers 45 days to perfect a research credit claim for refund prior to the IRS’s final determination on the claim.

Why is it relevant?

These changes provide more time for companies to adapt to the expanded reporting requirements of Form 6765, Credit for Increasing Research Activities, particularly for Section G, Business Component Information, which represents a significant shift in the level of detail required to support research credits at the time of filing. With the revised timeline, companies can refine internal processes, as well as provide feedback to the IRS, before the additional reporting requirements become mandatory.

Actions to consider

Companies should consider how to track and collect the information needed for Section G, keeping in mind that the IRS could make further changes to Form 6765 over the coming months. Planning for these changes will help enable a smooth transition when the new rules eventually take effect.