3D Printing – Shared Spaces R&D Tax Credit 3D Printer Opportunities

Shared office spaces are one of the tech industry’s highest growth areas. WeWork, the industry leader, has over 100,000 seats available to tech workers. For instance, the Rhode Island School  of Design (RISD) has a good example of a shared space called Co-Works that provides 3D printers to users.

Throughout the U.S. costs of living and working vary, and average about $5,300 per month. With co-working spaces, the cost is a much lower average of $195 for a flexible desk and $390 for a dedicated desk in the United States. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or tech start-up there are plenty of amenities to provide a fitting workspace for anyone. Co-working spaces typically provide conference room areas, high-speed internet, lounge areas, coffee, kitchens, and some even provide recreational areas with amenities like a ping pong table and beer on tap. As the co-work environment becomes more competitive, 3D printing availability becomes a way for shared space providers to distinguish themselves.

The chart below presents the growth in seats WeWork has experienced from 2015, to projected year-end of 2017:

The Research & Development Tax Credit

Enacted in 1981, the Federal Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit allows a credit of up to 13 percent of eligible spending for new and improved products and processes. Qualified research must meet the following four criteria:

• New or improved products, processes, or software
• Technological in nature
• Elimination of uncertainty
• Process of experimentation

Eligible costs include employee wages, cost of supplies, cost of testing, contract research expenses, and costs associated with developing a patent. On December 18, 2015 President Obama signed the bill making the R&D Tax Credit permanent. Beginning in 2016, the R&D credit can be used to offset Alternative Minimum Tax and startup businesses can utilize the credit against $250,000 per year in payroll taxes.

Below are some examples of U.S. shared spaces that offer 3D printers as design tool:

Co-Works

Located at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence, Rhode Island, Co-Works provides a unique opportunity for design students. Outside of the typical curriculum, all departments at the school have a shared space to engage in experimentation, research, and collaboration. Co-Works provides state-of-the-art 3D printers and other equipment for activities such as 3D scanning, and CNC machine tools.

The school provides the resources to students who study a variety of majors to stimulate the rate of innovation. Different processes and materials are being brought together, integrating with 2D and 3D practices.

25N Coworking

This co-working space resides in Geneva, Illinois where highly efficient workspaces are available for all users to achieve their business goals. To accommodate all work style spaces, private and shared offices and meeting rooms are available for use. 25N supports innovators with a 3D printer, and other necessary equipment that enables ideas to come to reality.

Tinker|Bristol

The Tinker|Bristol makerspace is a manufacturing incubator located in Bristol, Rhode Island that provides a shared space for people to “tinker, innovate, and create products in a collaborative environment” according to Makezine.com. The facility provides access to 3D printers, high-speed prototyping equipment, machines and tools. The goal is to offer advanced technologies to the talent community that will advance the business developments for new and growing manufacturing businesses.

Conclusion

Shared spaces provide a modern, collaborative work environment with other technology that boosts innovation. Co-working spaces that provide state-of-the-art technology allow integrated ideas from groups in various work areas. Advanced 3D printers provide exposure to a unique environment in which start-ups, and individuals can take advantage of the opportunity to innovate with all the equipment necessary for actually creating new products.  

Charles Goulding and Tricia Genova of R&D Tax Savers discuss 3D printing applications in shared office spaces.