For the 2008 tax year, a taxpayer may claim a credit against the tax imposed by this act equal to 1.52% of the taxpayer’s research and development expenses in this state in the tax year. For the 2009 tax year and each tax year after 2009, a taxpayer may claim a credit against the tax imposed by this act equal to 1.90% of the taxpayer’s research and development expenses in this state in the tax year. The credit under this section combined with the total combined credit allowed under section 403 shall not exceed 65% of the tax liability imposed under this act before the imposition and levy of the surcharge under section 281. As used in this section, “research and development expenses” means qualified research expenses as that term is defined in section 41(b) of the internal revenue code.