The Chilean paradox
Thousands of companies do R&D in Chile. Only 8.5% of them use the benefit.
Your company is probably already funding certifiable R&D — paying 100% of the cost. The law has run since 2012, extended through 2035.
0%
Direct tax credit
Deducted from First-Category Income Tax.
0.00%
Expense deduction
The remaining 65% is deducted at the corporate rate.
0.00%
Total tax saving
Your real cost: $47.45 for every $100 invested.
Law N° 20.241 Guide
What the law says, no fine print
The essentials of the R&D Law straight from official sources: which activities qualify, who can access it and how the benefit is activated.
What the law defines as R&D
Methodical search for new knowledge
Original work to generate new scientific or technological knowledge — basic (no defined application) or applied (aimed at a specific practical objective).
New products, processes or substantial improvements
Systematic work that uses existing knowledge to create new materials, products or services — including software, when it resolves a scientific or technological uncertainty.
What is NOT R&D under the law
- Testing a market-ready prototype for commercial launch
- Routine, repetitive or minor improvements and analyses
- Cosmetic changes to differentiate products
- Periodic or seasonal changes
- Promotion of R&D results
- Acquiring intellectual property as the main purpose
- Market and commercialization studies
Who can access it
- Individual or companyFrom a sole proprietor to a corporation — any taxpayer can certify.
- First Category, effective incomeYou must pay First Category tax declaring effective income.
- Full accounting recordsAnd keep full accounting records. No prior registration is required.
The numbers that matter
0 UTM
Minimum project amount
~$7 million CLP per participating company.
0 days
Retroactive notice window
From the first expense, to opt in with retroactive effect.
0 months
To formalize after the notice
Maximum term to file the formal application with CORFO.
0
Benefit validity
Projects certified through December 31, 2035.
The two routes to activate the benefit
Traditional certification
You formalize the project and apply before spending. From filing day you already deduct 65% as expense; once certified, you apply the 35% credit.
Best if the project hasn't started yet.
Notice of intent
Already spending? You notify CORFO within 30 days of the first disbursement and have 18 months to formalize. The benefit applies retroactively from that first expense.
Best if the project is already underway.
Where does your case fall?
Assess it in minutes with our AI agent — trained on the law, its regulations and CORFO's criteria. It only tells you what applies to your case.
Sources: Law N° 20.241, Regulation D.S. 102/2012 (Ministry of Economy) and official CORFO documentation.
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