R&D tax claims
Research & Development tax relief
Among the various ways that we support clients in science and technology, research and development (R&D) tax credit claims are among the most important.
Many individual projects qualify for R&D relief, and it can make a huge difference to the profitability and viability of startups and established firms alike.
How does R&D tax relief work?
An R&D tax credit is a cash payment from the Government to encourage companies to research and innovate in their trade. It works by giving you a tax credit on a portion of your qualifying R&D costs.
An R&D tax credit is usually compiled by a tax professional with insight into a range of industries. They will first calculate your eligible R&D expenditure and apply the RDEC or SME Tax Relief enhancement. This figure is then deducted from your corporation tax bill.
HMRC requires detailed information about your project to approve your claim, and may open an inquiry – a tax expert can help you here, too.
Who is eligible for R&D tax credits?
Eligibility for R&D Tax Relief is broad and includes many sectors. The main constraint on what projects count is that they must aim to make advancements in science and technology, making certain industries stand out as potential beneficiaries.
Science and tech
Who’s better suited to do R&D in science and technology than a company dealing with this every day? Projects must relate to the claimant’s trade, making R&D tax relief a no-brainer.
Startups
Companies with something new to contribute to science and technology can benefit from R&D tax credits. It’s also a great way to maintain a positive cashflow in the early stages of business.
Construction
Creating new materials; developing new technology; adapting equipment or processes; creating new mechanical and electrical systems – construction businesses can make R&D claims for various projects.
Qualifying activity
You can claim R&D tax credits on revenue expenditure (i.e. day-to-day operational costs). Revenue expenditure includes:
- staffing costs (gross salaries, employer NI and employer pension contributions)
- subcontracted R&D
- consumables
- software
- payments to subjects of clinical trials.
How can you benefit from R&D tax relief?
R&D tax credits benefit thousands of companies annually and could benefit your organisation, too.
Allowing more investment into innovation
R&D tax credits allow you to put more into your innovative ideas by giving you back money that you can reinvest in even more ambitious projects.
Funding business growth
Qualifying for R&D tax credits means innovations that improve your business are more cost-effective to do, contributing to your business’s financial health and growth.
Strengthening your reputation
By being approved for R&D tax credits and reinvesting the money into further innovation, you can improve your reputation as a company at the forefront of advanced processes and technological advancements.
Find out what an R&D claim is worth to your business
Successfully claiming R&D tax credits is a long and arduous process, but it’s one that we can help you tackle. We don’t take a share of the claim – we’re here to help your business develop. Get in touch to learn more.
Talk to someone on our team now
If you want to find out more about our experience, or explore what we can do for your business, get in touch and we’ll schedule an informal conversation.
“CMR Surgical appointed Business Partners as the right partner for the start-up to early growth stage in our journey. Rob, Sam and the team were able to take on everything we couldn’t including systems implementation, management, statutory accounts and payroll. I found the team always very responsive and proactive – looking forwards to working with them again.”
Martin Frost | co-founder and former CEO, CMR Surgical
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