Microtech Designs is a specialised electronics R&D business that designs control systems for gates, wireless vehicle detection systems, safety systems, and DC motor controllers. Founded and led by Glenn, the company focuses on wireless technology innovation, serving clients who need reliable, custom electronic solutions for automated systems.
As a small but growing R&D-focused business, Microtech represents the type of innovation happening across Australia's manufacturing sector - constantly solving technical problems, developing new products, and advancing electronic control systems technology.
Like many small business owners, Glenn was managing multiple responsibilities across his business. When it came to R&D Tax Incentive applications, this approach was creating significant operational challenges:
Glenn was dedicating substantial time to R&D tax preparation during evenings and weekends, diverting critical hours from core business activities including product development, client service, and strategic planning.
The complex legislative requirements forced Glenn to develop expertise in tax law and compliance—areas outside his core competency in electronics engineering. This represented an inefficient use of his technical expertise and leadership capabilities.
The administrative burden extended beyond Glenn's business hours, requiring significant assistance from family members with accounting expertise. This created additional strain on personal relationships and consumed resources that could have been allocated to business growth.
Glenn operated under persistent concern about ATO scrutiny and potential penalties. The complexity of R&D tax legislation created ongoing anxiety about inadvertent non-compliance, particularly as the business grew and claims became larger.
During Microtech's critical startup phase, cash flow constraints made every hour valuable for revenue generation and product development. Administrative tasks represented a direct opportunity cost against innovation and business development activities.
The cumulative effect was a business owner stretched across too many roles, preventing optimal focus on the company's core value proposition and growth strategy.
When evaluating R&D tax advisors, Glenn established clear criteria based on his experience with the DIY approach:
Glenn prioritised Australian-based expertise to ensure advisors understood local regulatory requirements, business practices, and compliance expectations without communication barriers or jurisdictional knowledge gaps.
Glenn required advisors who could comprehend complex technical explanations and translate them into compliant documentation, bridging the gap between engineering innovation and tax compliance requirements.
Rather than transactional form completion, Glenn sought advisors who would provide ongoing guidance and understand Microtech's business model, ensuring R&D claims aligned with business objectives and growth plans.
Glenn evaluated providers based on their ability to minimise his time investment while maintaining quality outcomes, recognising that his technical expertise was better allocated to core business activities.
MiracleMint's methodology directly addressed these operational requirements through a streamlined three-phase approach:
A concentrated consultation session captured Glenn's technical work and R&D activities, reducing his involvement from weeks of documentation to hours of structured conversation.
MiracleMint's technical writers converted complex engineering projects into compliance-ready documentation that met ATO and AusIndustry requirements while accurately representing the innovation work.
Rigorous internal review processes ensured applications met professional standards and compliance requirements, providing Glenn with confidence in audit readiness and regulatory acceptance.
This systematic approach eliminated the skill mismatch challenge while providing Glenn with professional-grade outcomes he acknowledged were beyond his capability to produce independently.
MiracleMint's approach addressed Glenn's specific requirements:
Glenn saw an immediate uplift in his operations.
R&D tax preparation time reduced by over 90%, from many weeks of intermittent evening work to a single 1-2 hour consultation session.
Glenn reduced his multitasking burden by 40%, allowing him to focus on fewer core responsibilities and delegate more effectively.
With improved time allocation, Microtech hired additional employees, reducing Glenn's direct operational workload and enabling business growth.
Professional preparation eliminated ongoing concerns about ATO scrutiny and compliance errors, providing peace of mind for future submissions.
Glenn could reallocate significant time to his core expertise—innovation and business development—rather than administrative tax compliance.
The professionally prepared applications required minimal revisions and met compliance standards that Glenn acknowledged he could not have achieved independently.
Glenn's assessment of working with MiracleMint: "Engaging, efficient, cost effective, easy to work with."
"I think either way, I still would have gone with Miracle Mint... that certainly helped us across the line, got us moving in the right direction." — Glenn, Founder, Microtech
Considering professional R&D tax support? Book a consultation to discuss how MiracleMint can help streamline your R&D tax process while ensuring compliance and maximising your claim.
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