Binding Motivated Reports (IMVs): Legal Certainty and Fiscal Incentives for R&D&I Activities
Binding Motivated Reports (IMVs) are official documents that certify R&D and/or Technological Innovation (TI) activities, providing companies with legal certainty when applying for R&D&I tax deductions and social security bonuses for research staff.
The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, responsible for issuing these reports, publishes an annual summary of Motivated Reports (IMVs) related to R&D&I tax deductions. The recently released 2023 report covers data for the 2022 fiscal year. In 2023, 10,959 IMV applications were registered—7% more than in 2022—with an approval rate of 84%.
An IMV is an official document issued by authorized public bodies that classifies project activities as R&D and/or Technological Innovation (TI) within a specific fiscal year.
At artica+i, we support our clients throughout the IMV application process, ensuring maximum legal security in the technical qualification of their R&D&I projects so they can benefit from incentives such as tax deductions and social security rebates for research personnel.
When a Motivated Report meets all legal requirements, it becomes Binding, meaning that the Tax Agency is bound by the classification issued in the report, and the Social Security Administration is bound regarding the researchers who meet the legally established criteria.
Types of IMVs
There are three main types of IMVs:
- Type A: Issued after project completion.
- Types B and C: Issued before project implementation.
- Type D: Technical reports for social security bonuses for research staff, certifying which employees are exclusively engaged in R&D&I activities.
Although voluntary, IMVs are highly recommended as they allow companies to access key benefits with full legal assurance:
Main Incentives Associated with IMVs
1. R&D&I Tax Deductions
For companies with taxable profits and required to pay corporate income tax, IMVs determine the nature of each activity within a project—whether Research and Development (R&D) or Technological Innovation (TI).
This classification defines the applicable deduction rate:
- Up to 42% for R&D projects
- Up to 12% for TI projects
2. Monetization of Tax Deductions
For companies not required to pay corporate income tax—or those opting for early payment—deductions can be monetized, receiving the incentive as a cash refund. A 20% reduction applies to the recognized amount.
3. Social Security Bonuses for Research Staff
IMVs also have implications for the Social Security system, allowing companies to obtain up to a 40% reduction in employer contributions for common contingencies for employees dedicated to R&D&I tasks. This significantly reduces labor costs associated with research personnel.
More IMV Applications in 2023 with an 84% Approval Rate
The 2023 Annual Report on Motivated Reports for R&D&I tax deductions confirms a continued upward trend in IMV applications by Spanish companies, though with more moderate growth compared to previous years.
- 2023: 10,959 IMV applications (+7% vs. 2022)
- Approved: 9,244 applications (84% approval rate)
In the field of R&D&I tax deductions (excluding bonuses):
- 37.5% of IMVs corresponded to R&D projects
- 62% to Technological Innovation projects
In financial terms:
- R&D projects: €1.5 billion
- TI projects: €4.88 billion
R&D projects tend to involve budgets under €500,000, while TI projects are mostly in the €200,000–€500,000 range.
Large-scale projects (over €5 million) are mainly led by large companies (178 initiatives), compared to 21 led by SMEs.
Sectoral and Regional Distribution
Applying for an IMV is essential to guarantee legal certainty in claiming R&D&I tax deductions and ensuring recognition by the Tax Administration. IMVs are applicable across all company sizes (from SMEs to large corporations) and all sectors of activity.
According to UNESCO classification codes, the 2022 IMV distribution by discipline was as follows:
- Computer Science: 3,052 IMVs (almost one-third of total)
- Industrial Sciences: 1,307 IMVs
- Clinical and Pharmaceutical Sciences: 1,199 IMVs
- Agri-food sector: 737 IMVs (7th position), including food technology, agronomy, animal production, agrochemistry, and nutrition — the area where artica+i has focused much of its activity.
Regional distribution:
- Madrid: 38.5%
- Catalonia: 21.5%
- Valencian Community: 11.1%
- Andalusia: 6%
- Canary Islands: nearly 5% (notably 26% in Types B and C IMVs)
The growth in the Canary Islands is linked to technological patronage (mecenazgo tecnológico), a financing mechanism that promotes investment in R&D&I through collaboration between innovative companies and investors.
Under this Tax Lease R&D&I model, companies conducting R&D&I activities receive funding for their projects, while investors obtain fiscal benefits derived from those activities.
This model offers a win-win approach: innovative companies—especially startups or those with limited tax capacity—gain access to financial resources without losing project control, while investors enjoy tax optimization while supporting business innovation.
We Help You Maximize the Potential of Your R&D&I
At artica+i, we work closely with each client to manage their R&D&I project submissions and processing, not only from the standpoint of direct public funding, but also through specialized advice on the application of fiscal incentives provided under Spanish law for innovative activities.
Our goal is to optimize the profitability of corporate R&D&I initiatives, thereby enhancing competitiveness—while minimizing the risk of refunds, repayments, or penalties resulting from incorrect application of tax benefits. One of our key tools in this process is the Binding Motivated Report (IMV).
How Do We Do It?
Rely on our Innovation Taxation Team to guide you safely through the process, following this step-by-step roadmap:
- Initial diagnosis and classification of the innovative activities’ R&D&I nature.
- Collection and preparation of technical and financial documentation.
- Coordination with the certification body to obtain project qualification and potential tax base.
- Preparation and submission of the IMV application.
- Liaison with the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
- Receipt of the IMV and application of the R&D&I fiscal benefits obtained.
