Carli McDonald, J.D., MTax
Partner-in-Charge, R&D Tax Credit Services
Carli is the partner-in-charge of Aprio’s national R&D Tax Credit practice. Carli has dedicated the last six years to performing R&D Tax Credit studies for clients in a variety of industries, with a specialty in the manufacturing and technology industries. She has worked to prepare R&D Tax Credits for companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500 businesses, performing technical interviews with subject matter experts, calculating complex credits and preparing technical reports.
Carli combines a holistic approach to calculating and substantiating R&D Credits with a promptness and accessibility above the norm. She regularly finds ways to save her clients additional money that they can reinvest into their businesses. Each year, Carli and her team help clients across the U.S. receive hundreds of millions of dollars in tax savings.
Carli and her team also offer comprehensive international R&D services. These include services relating to Canada’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive program, as well as R&D tax credits for companies operating in the United Kingdom.
In the states, the R&D Tax Credit results in an immediate benefit to a company since it can reduce past, current and future years’ federal tax liability, thereby creating a ready source of cash. The credit provides a dollar-for-dollar offset against taxes owed or paid, which differs from a deduction.
Carli also has experience calculating credits for clients with multi-year or military contracts, complex controlled groups or international structures, and internal use software. Through her work with the Georgia state credit, she has extensive experience helping clients apply their R&D Credits against payroll withholding.
Carli frequently gives educational presentations to startup companies highlighting the benefits of the R&D Tax Credit. She regularly speaks at venues like the Atlanta Tech Village, FourAthens and the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) at Georgia Tech. Carli also provides webinars and seminars on R&D Tax Credits, including lunch and learns for CPE/CLE to partner law and accounting firms.
She received a B.S. in English Literature from Vanderbilt University, and a J.D. and Masters in Taxation from Georgia State University. Carli’s professional and civic affiliations include:
- State Bar of Georgia
- Atlanta Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Chattahoochee Nature Center – Board of trustees
- Zoo Atlanta – Leadership Council
- Grady Hospital Foundation – Ambassador Force