HB 1616 -- Tax Credits for Qualified Research Expenses Sponsor: Storch Currently, no tax credits for qualified research expenses can be approved, awarded, or issued. This bill removes these restrictions and authorizes a tax credit equal to no more than 6.5% of a taxpayer's qualified research expenses. The annual aggregate cap on the amount of these tax credits that can be authorized by the Department of Economic Development is $10 million. Qualified research expenses will be limited to those incurred in the research and development of agricultural biotechnology, plant genomics products, diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices, and prescription pharmaceuticals consumed by humans or animals. Expenses incurred in the research, development, and manufacturing of power system technology for aerospace, space, defense, or implantable or wearable medical devices are also permitted. The department director may allow a taxpayer to transfer up to 40% of the tax credits issued, but not yet claimed, between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2017. The department director must act between August 1 and August 15 on tax credit applications filed between January 1 and July 1 for claims from the previous year. The formula is specified by which tax credits will be issued if the eligible claims for the credits exceed the annual cap. No one taxpayer can be issued more than 30% of the total amount of tax credits authorized in any calendar year.Copyright (c) Missouri House of Representatives