Accounting for Technology Companies
Technology companies face three recurring tax questions: how software development costs are treated, whether the research credit is available, and where the company has created state nexus through remote employees and customers. Blue Sage handles all three alongside the routine accounting and returns.
What we handle
- Research and development credit analysis and documentation
- Software development cost capitalisation and amortisation
- Equity compensation accounting and reporting
- Multi-state nexus review driven by remote staff and customers
- Revenue recognition for subscription and multi-year contracts
- Monthly accounting with runway and burn reporting
Who this is for
Software companies, SaaS businesses, and technology-enabled service providers, from bootstrapped to funded.
The change that catches most technology companies is the treatment of research and development costs, which are now required to be capitalised and amortised rather than deducted immediately. For a company spending heavily on engineering, that can create taxable income in a year with negative cash flow.
Deadlines and rules worth knowing
| Item | What applies |
|---|---|
| R&D costs | Required to be capitalised and amortised rather than immediately deducted, over different periods for domestic and foreign work |
| R&D credit | A separate benefit from the deduction treatment. Requires contemporaneous documentation of qualifying activity. |
| Remote employees | An employee working from another state generally creates nexus there — registration, withholding, and filing |
| Subscription revenue | Recognised over the service period, not when cash is received |
| Equity compensation | Creates reporting obligations for the company as well as tax events for the recipient |
How we work
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Review what exists
We read last year’s return and whatever records you have. Most of what needs fixing is visible quickly.
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Fixed quote in writing
Scope and price before anything starts, counting entities, states, and any cleanup needed.
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File and maintain
Returns prepared and filed, notices answered, and a projection before year end.
Questions
Can I still deduct software development costs immediately?
Not in the way that was once possible. Research and experimental expenditures, which include most software development, are required to be capitalised and amortised over a period of years rather than deducted in full when incurred. This can produce taxable income for a company that is burning cash, so it should be modeled before year end.
Does a remote employee in another state create tax obligations?
Almost always. An employee working from a state generally gives the company nexus there, which brings payroll registration, state withholding, and often a corporate or franchise filing. This is one of the most common unnoticed compliance gaps for companies that hired remotely.
Last reviewed 11 September 2026 by Fahadun Nabi, Founder, Blue Sage Tax and Accounting Inc.. General information, not advice for your specific situation.
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Talk it through before the deadline, not after.
A free consultation call, no obligation, and a fixed quote if you want to go further.