As finance leaders wrap up 2025 and look ahead, recent surveys reveal a mix of cautious optimism and ongoing worries about inflation, consumer demand, and economic volatility. But beneath these headline challenges lies a real opportunity: Companies that keep investing in innovation—and make the most of every available funding source—will be best equipped to navigate what’s shaping up to be a turbulent year. 

The 2026 CFO Landscape: Optimism Meets Uncertainty 

Several new surveys show CFOs facing mixed signals as they lock in their 2026 budgets. According to the Q4 CNBC CFO Council Survey, 73% of finance leaders remain optimistic about the economic outlook, despite ongoing challenges. Still, more than half expect U.S. inflation to stay above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target through 2027, and most anticipate only one or two rate cuts by mid-2026. 

The AICPA and CIMA Economic Outlook Survey paints a similar picture. While overall economic optimism slipped to 28% (down from 34% last quarter), confidence in individual company performance actually improved. Finance leaders now expect 2% revenue growth and 0.8% profit growth over the next year—modest gains that reflect careful planning in uncertain times. 

Key Concerns Shaping Financial Strategy 

What’s keeping CFOs up at night? The surveys highlight several recurring themes: 

Consumer demand remains the top risk. 41% of CFOs in the CNBC survey named consumer demand as their biggest threat, reflecting broad concerns about whether spending will hold up among lower-income households. 

Inflation isn’t going away anytime soon. With 59% of CFOs not expecting inflation to normalize before 2027, finance leaders are focusing on long-term cost management instead of hoping for quick relief. 

Economic volatility makes planning tough. While most CFOs don’t see a recession right around the corner, 52% expect one by the end of 2026. That means finance teams are building contingency plans while still investing in growth. 

Domestic economic conditions and political uncertainty ranked as the top two organizational challenges, with concerns about political leadership reaching their highest level since mid-2021. 

The Innovation Investment Dilemma 

These economic pressures create a familiar challenge for CFOs: how to keep investing in innovation—which drives long-term competitiveness—while managing near-term financial constraints. Cut R&D too much, and you risk falling behind. Overspend, and you expose your company to more risk in an unpredictable environment. 

This is exactly where R&D tax credits become a strategic advantage. For U.S. companies investing in product development, process improvements, or technology, federal and state R&D tax credits can return 10–15% or more of qualified expenses—helping you stretch your innovation budget without taking on extra risk. 

How to Make Every R&D Dollar Work Harder in 2026 

With modest growth forecasts and persistent inflation, making the most of every innovation dollar isn’t just smart—it’s essential. R&D tax credits are one of the most underused funding sources for companies investing in new products and capabilities. 

The challenge? Capturing these credits fully takes specialized expertise and systematic documentation—something many finance teams simply don’t have the bandwidth for. Generic accounting firms often miss eligible activities, while automated solutions lack the technical and tax know-how to maximize your claim and defend it in an audit. 

That’s where Boast’s blend of specialized expertise and purpose-built technology stands out. Our platform automates data collection and documentation, while our R&D tax experts optimize every claim—finding qualifying activities that generic approaches miss. With built-in audit defense and SOC II compliance, you can claim with confidence, knowing your documentation will stand up to government review. 

For finance leaders already stretched thin, this approach delivers maximum value without overloading your team. Instead of pulling your people away from critical priorities, you get expert-driven R&D credit maximization that typically delivers 2–3x more than traditional methods. 

Looking Forward: Strategic Moves for Uncertain Times 

The surveys make one thing clear: 2026 will demand careful financial management and smart resource allocation. CFOs who keep investing in innovation—and make the most of every funding source—will put their companies in the best position to outperform, no matter how the economy shifts. 

R&D tax credits aren’t just about recovering costs—they’re about strategic flexibility. In a climate where consumer demand is uncertain and inflation stays high, every dollar of non-dilutive funding strengthens your ability to invest, adapt, and compete. 

As you finalize your 2026 budgets and plans, ask yourself: Are you capturing every R&D credit your innovation investments have earned? In a year defined by modest growth and ongoing uncertainty, that’s a question worth answering thoroughly. 

 

Ready to maximize your 2026 R&D credits without overburdening your team? Boast combines deep expertise with advanced technology to deliver full-scale R&D credit optimization and audit-proof documentation. Book a free consultation to discover how much your innovation investments could be worth.