FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our Partner Program and how it works.
Common Questions
WHO WE ARE
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What exactly is Opscale Exchange?
Opscale Exchange is a tax incentive HUB marketplace. We intake SMB clients, qualify them for applicable programs including tariff refunds, tax credits, grants, and penalty refunds, and then route them to the right licensed specialist. We act as the coordination and distribution layer, not the service provider.
Are you a tax preparer or tax advisor?
No. Opscale Exchange is not a CPA firm, enrolled agent, or tax preparation service. We do not prepare or file tax returns, and we do not provide tax advice. All tax-related work is performed by licensed professionals within our specialist network.
Are you a law firm or do you provide legal advice?
No. Opscale Exchange is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice of any kind. Legal work including tariff refund filings, litigation, and formal legal opinions is handled exclusively by licensed attorneys and law firms in our network.
How does Opscale Exchange make money?
We operate on a contingency-based platform fee model. We extract our fee from the incentive proceeds before disbursing the net amount to you. In most cases there is no out-of-pocket cost to qualify. You only pay when a recovery or credit is successfully secured.
Who are the specialists doing the actual work?
Our network includes licensed CPA firms, tax attorneys, cost segregation engineers, R&D credit specialists, and grant writers. Specialist credentials are verified before onboarding and matched to your specific program needs.
Common Questions
TARIFF REFUNDS
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What tariff refund programs does Opscale Exchange work with?
We help businesses recover duties paid under two major tariff programs: Section 301 tariffs imposed on goods imported from China under the Trade Act of 1974, and tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Depending on your import history and product categories, you may have recoverable duties under one or both programs.
What are Section 301 tariffs and who qualifies for a refund?
Section 301 tariffs were imposed on hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese imports beginning in 2018. Refund opportunities may exist if:
- Your business imported goods from China subject to Section 301 duties
- You paid those duties within the applicable statute of limitations window
- Your products fall within categories subject to exclusions, litigation, or administrative relief
Our team will conduct a no-cost qualification assessment to identify your specific exposure and recoverable amount.
What are IEEPA tariffs and who qualifies?
IEEPA tariffs were imposed under emergency economic authority and have been the subject of ongoing legal and administrative challenges. You may qualify for a refund if your business imported goods subject to IEEPA-based duties, paid those duties within the applicable lookback window, and your import categories are covered under current relief or litigation. Our licensed trade law specialists review your import history to determine eligibility.
How does the refund process work?
Opscale Exchange works with licensed customs attorneys and trade law specialists to review your import history, identify covered entries, and file the appropriate claims. We manage the coordination and the attorneys handle all legal filings and submissions.
How far back can we claim?
The lookback window depends on the specific tariff program and relevant statute of limitations, typically 2 to 5 years. Our specialists will identify the maximum recoverable window during your qualification review.
Common Questions
COST SEGREGATION
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What is cost segregation?
Cost segregation is an IRS-approved tax strategy that reclassifies components of commercial real property from 39-year depreciation schedules to shorter 5-, 7-, or 15-year schedules. This accelerates your depreciation deductions, generating significant tax savings in early ownership years.
Who benefits most from cost segregation?
Cost segregation works best for:
- Commercial property owners (office, retail, industrial, hospitality, medical)
- Real estate investors with properties valued at $500K or more
- Businesses that recently purchased, constructed, or substantially renovated a property
- Owners looking to offset passive or active income with accelerated deductions
Can I apply cost segregation to a property I have owned for years?
Yes. A look-back study allows you to capture missed depreciation on properties you have owned for years in a single tax-year catch-up, without amending prior returns. This is one of the most powerful and underutilized applications of cost segregation.
How much can I realistically save?
Savings vary by property type, value, and tax situation. A qualified cost segregation study typically generates $50,000 to $200,000 or more in tax deferrals per $1M of property value in the first year. Our specialists will provide a preliminary estimate during the qualification phase.
Does cost segregation trigger a tax audit?
No. Cost segregation is an IRS-recognized and court-supported strategy. When performed by qualified engineers following IRS guidelines, it is a fully defensible position. Our network uses only credentialed engineering-based study providers.
Common Questions
R&D TAX CREDITS
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What is the R&D tax credit?
The federal Research and Development (R&D) tax credit under IRC Section 41 rewards businesses that invest in developing or improving products, processes, software, formulas, or techniques. It is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in tax liability, not just a deduction.
My business is not a tech company. Can I still qualify?
Yes, and this is one of the most common misconceptions. Industries that regularly qualify include:
- Manufacturing (process improvements, tooling, materials)
- Construction and engineering (custom designs, bid-specific engineering)
- Food and beverage (recipe formulation, process development)
- Architecture (building systems design)
- Software (custom development, algorithms, internal tools)
- Healthcare (clinical processes, medical devices)
If your team is solving technical problems with uncertain outcomes, you may qualify.
What activities count as qualifying R&D?
The IRS applies a 4-part test. Qualifying activities must:
- Relate to a new or improved product, process, software, or technique
- Involve a process of experimentation such as trial and error, prototyping, or testing
- Be technological in nature (engineering, computer science, biology, etc.)
- Pursue the elimination of technical uncertainty
How far back can I claim the R&D credit?
You can claim the R&D credit for the current tax year and amend returns for up to 3 open tax years. Startups with no tax liability may be able to apply credits against payroll taxes up to $500,000 per year under the Inflation Reduction Act.
How does Opscale Exchange handle R&D credit claims?
We coordinate your engagement with a licensed R&D tax credit specialist from our network who conducts a full documentation and calculation study. Opscale Exchange manages intake, qualification, and disbursement logistics. The licensed professional handles all filings.
Common Questions
CREDITS, INCENTIVES & GRANTS
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What credits and incentives does Opscale Exchange offer access to?
We are constantly adding new credits, incentives, and grants to the platform. Our catalog spans federal and state programs across energy efficiency, workforce, investment, and industry-specific incentives. Opscale Intelligence, our built-in AI tool, reviews your business profile and identifies the credits and incentives you may be eligible for. As we add new programs, Opscale Intelligence re-evaluates your profile and pushes relevant opportunities directly to you. Keeping your profile current is essential so you never miss a program you qualify for.
What is Opscale Intelligence and how does it work?
Opscale Intelligence is our AI-powered eligibility engine. It analyzes your client profile across industry, payroll, hiring activity, property holdings, import history, and more, then matches you to current and newly added programs in real time. As we expand our catalog, Opscale Intelligence automatically re-evaluates your profile and notifies you of new opportunities. The more complete your profile, the more accurately we can match you to programs you qualify for.
Does Opscale Exchange help with government grants?
Yes. We work with our network of licensed grant specialists to identify and pursue applicable federal and state grant programs for eligible businesses. Grant opportunities are matched to your profile through Opscale Intelligence just like our tax credit programs, and new grant programs are added on an ongoing basis. Eligibility is highly specific to your industry, location, business stage, and other profile factors, which is why keeping your profile up to date is critical.
Why is it important to keep my profile updated?
Opscale Intelligence uses your profile data to match you to programs. New credits, incentives, and grants are added to the platform regularly. An outdated profile means you could miss opportunities you already qualify for. We recommend reviewing your profile any time there is a change in your business including new hires, property acquisitions, new product lines, changes in revenue, or any new import or export activity.
Common Questions
YOUR CLIENT PROFILE
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How do I get started with Opscale Exchange?
The first step is to visit our client HUB and set up your profile. Your profile is the foundation for everything on the platform. It tells us about your business so Opscale Intelligence can identify the programs you qualify for and match you to the right specialists.
What information do I need to complete my profile?
Getting started only requires three things: your name, your business name, and your email address. Once your profile is created, Opscale Intelligence will walk you through additional questions designed to unlock credit, incentive, and grant opportunities specific to your business. The more you complete, the more programs we can match you to.
Is my information secure?
Yes. All client data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We do not sell or share your information with third parties outside of our vetted specialist network. Specialists only receive the information relevant to the program they are engaged to support. For full details on how we collect, use, and protect your information, please review our Privacy Notice.
What happens after I set up my profile?
Once your profile is live, Opscale Intelligence reviews it against our full program catalog and surfaces any programs you appear eligible for. Our team follows up to walk you through your results, answer questions, and coordinate specialist engagement for any programs you choose to pursue.
Can I update my profile after the initial setup?
Yes, and we strongly encourage it. Your profile should reflect the current state of your business. Updates to hiring activity, property, revenue, imports, or new product lines can unlock additional programs. Opscale Intelligence re-evaluates your eligibility each time your profile is updated.
Common Questions
AFFILIATES & PARTNERS
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What is the Opscale Exchange affiliate program?
Our affiliate program allows financial professionals, business consultants, CPAs, brokers, and other advisors to refer clients to the Opscale Exchange platform and earn a share of the platform fee on any programs their clients successfully complete. There is no cost to join.
Who is a good fit for the affiliate program?
The program is designed for professionals who work closely with SMB owners and want to add value by connecting their clients to incentive programs they may be missing. Strong fits include:
- Business consultants and fractional executives
- CPAs and bookkeepers who do not personally file the specialist work
- Commercial lenders and business bankers
- Insurance brokers and benefits advisors
- Business coaches and mastermind group leaders
- Commercial real estate brokers and property managers
How does affiliate compensation work?
Affiliates earn a percentage of the platform fee generated by each successfully completed client program. Compensation is paid after client proceeds are disbursed. Our affiliate coordinator will walk you through the specific fee structure and commission tiers during onboarding.
How do I track my referrals and earnings?
Each affiliate receives a unique tracking link and access to our affiliate dashboard. Your dashboard shows referral activity, program status, and commission history in real time.
Can I refer clients to multiple programs?
Yes. A single client referral can generate commissions across multiple programs if the client qualifies for and completes more than one. Opscale Intelligence reviews every referred client’s profile for all available programs, so your referrals get maximum value and you earn on everything that closes.
How do I get started as an affiliate?
Visit our affiliate portal to complete a brief onboarding form and receive your unique referral link. Once approved, you will have access to marketing materials, program one-pagers, and your affiliate dashboard. Our team is available to support you with client conversations and qualification questions.
Apply to Partner
Ready to add value to every client conversation?
Apply in under two minutes. We will follow up within one business day to schedule your onboarding call and walk you through the program.