Income tax credits: research credit.

The Personal Income Tax Law and the Corporation Tax Law, in modified conformity to a credit allowed by federal income tax laws, allow a credit against taxes imposed by those laws for increasing research activities. In general, the amount of the credit under those laws is equal to 15% of the excess of the qualified research expenses, as defined, for the taxable year over the base amount, as defined. Additionally, the Corporation Tax Law, in modified conformity to that credit allowed by federal income tax laws, allows a credit of 24% of the basic research payments, as defined. This bill would, under both laws for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2020, increase the amount of the credit to 20% of the excess of the qualified research expenses for the taxable year over the base amount. The bill would also, under the Corporation Tax Law for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2020, increase the amount of the credit for basic research payments to 30%. Existing law requires any bill authorizing a new tax expenditure to contain, among other things, specific goals, purposes, and objectives that the tax expenditure will achieve, detailed performance indicators, and data collection requirements. The bill also would include additional information required for any bill authorizing a new tax expenditure. This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.