---
title: R&D Incentive Journey Timelines
description: The R&D Tax Incentive process typically takes between 10 and 38 weeks from engagement to refund. How quickly we move through the early stages depends largely on your availability and your bookkeeper's — the sooner financials are confirmed, the sooner we can lodge your application.
---

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1. [Knowledge Base](https://support.standardledger.co/knowledge?hsLang=en)
2. [OUR R&D TAX INCENTIVE SERVICES (Australia)](https://support.standardledger.co/knowledge/our-rd-tax-incentive-services-australia?hsLang=en)

# R&D Incentive Journey Timelines

## From engagement to refund - approximate timeframes

The R&D Tax Incentive process typically takes between 10 and 38 weeks from engagement to refund. How quickly we move through the early stages depends largely on your availability and your bookkeeper's — the sooner financials are confirmed, the sooner we can lodge your application. 

![Journey_Timeline_HubSpot Lrg](https://support.standardledger.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Journey_Timeline_HubSpot%20Lrg.png?width=670&height=828&name=Journey_Timeline_HubSpot%20Lrg.png)

Timeframes are approximate and may vary. Stages 7 and 10 are outside Standard Ledger's control. Stages 1 to 4 are most affected by your responsiveness and your bookkeeper's availability.

**Further reading**

The timeframes shown in stages 7 and 10 reflect published government service commitments. The following resources may be useful if you'd like to understand more about the process or what to expect:

- [DISR R&D Tax Incentive program charter](https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/research-and-development-tax-incentive/program-charter)<https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/research-and-development-tax-incentive/program-charter> — outlines DISR's service standards and commitments for the R&D Tax Incentive program
- [DISR customer service charter](https://www.industry.gov.au/corporate-governance/customer-service-charter) — sets out how DISR commits to serving its customers
- [ATO commitments to service](https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/commitments-and-reporting/service-commitments/commitments-to-service)<https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/commitments-and-reporting/service-commitments/commitments-to-service> — the ATO's published service standards
- [ATO Refundable and non-refundable R&D offsets](https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/income-deductions-and-concessions/incentives-and-concessions/research-and-development-tax-incentive/r-d-tax-incentive-rates-and-entitlements/refundable-and-non-refundable-offsets) — how the ATO manages the offset and refund process

---

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