Claiming R&D tax credits made easier
Ready to make a difference?
We stand by your side, amplifying your ideas and providing the necessary assistance to recover up to 33.35% of expenditures incurred over the last two financial years. Begin your journey toward achievement with our simple R&D claim process.
No Win, No Fee - We won’t charge until you receive your entitlement
Winning at every step - Very high success rate with HMRC
Your R&D tax advocate - Unwavering support from start to credit
What is an
R&D claim?
An R&D claim involves submitting an application to HMRC to receive R&D tax credits in return for efforts focused on industry innovations and advancements. These claims are linked to the UK Government's R&D tax credit relief, introduced to support businesses dedicated to improving their products or services through iterative experimentation. The incentive encourages businesses to invest more in innovations and progress, stimulating the economical growth of the UK.
What are R&D qualifying costs?
Staff PAYE costs/Pension contributions
Your company is eligible to request reimbursement for salaries, wages, class 1 NIC (National Insurance Contributions), and pension fund contributions paid to employees who are directly and actively involved in the R&D projects.
Subcontracted costs
These costs pertain to payments made to an external agency for individuals directly and actively involved in the R&D project. These individuals are not employees or subcontractors but are engaged through the agency. Typically, relief is provided for 65% of the payments to the staff provider.
Materials and consumables
Your company is eligible to seek reimbursement for the expenses incurred on items that are directly used and consumed in qualifying R&D projects. These expenses cover materials, water, fuel, and power utilised in the R&D process.
Software purchases
The expenses related to operating systems, software platforms, and permissions granted for accessing and utilising digital data that is directly used in your R&D activities can be reimbursed. You may need to allocate the costs of partially used software appropriately to determine the eligible amount for the claim.
Travel costs
Certain travel expenses associated with your research and development may also be eligible for your claim. These costs include collaboration, attending relevant events, visiting research sites, or conducting fieldwork directly tied to your R&D projects.
Utilities
Utilities such as water, gas, and oil can also be claimed as part of eligible costs. However, it is important to note that only the portion of utilities used exclusively for R&D purposes will be eligible, not the entire utility bills.
Our process of claiming R&D tax credits
Your authorisation
We'll gain your authorisation via our client instruction form/NDA. This will enable us to discuss your R&D activities along with your current tax position.
Technical scrutiny
We'll analyse the profit & loss (P&L) statement of the business while facilitating your technical call. This step aims to determine whether your case is feasible from both technical and financial perspectives.
Information gathering & documents
Once our experts are confident that your case meets the R&D eligibility criteria, we will then gather all the required technical information and financial documentation according to HMRC's standards to support your case.
In-house compliance
At this stage, we initiate a stringent compliance procedure that we have developed in-house to audit your R&D claim application. We verify whether it meets the defined standards before submitting it to HMRC to ensure a positive outcome.
Application submission
After conducting a comprehensive review of your R&D claim, including all required documentation, the application will be forwarded to HMRC for further processing.
Potential outcome
Our team maintains continuous contact with HMRC regarding your case. If any queries arise, we address them on your behalf using a highly systematic approach to maximise your outcome while minimising any delays in your repayment.
Your guide to R&D tax credits (eBook)
Our team of R&D tax credit specialists has developed a comprehensive guide that serves as a vital resource for businesses aiming to capitalise on the potential of research and development tax relief. By delving into the intricacies of these credits, the guide offers valuable insights to diverse audiences, including entrepreneurs, business leaders, and decision makers. The eBook covers essential aspects such as eligibility criteria, qualifying R&D activities and costs, navigating the claim process, and more. It unravels complex tax incentives and empowers you with actionable insights to make well-informed decisions regarding your R&D tax claims.
Why Alexander Clifford?
We focus on your R&D claim, you focus on your innovations.
We are your dedicated partner in streamlining the intricate process of claiming R&D tax credits. With years of experience and a strong track record of success with HMRC, we specialise in guiding businesses through the complexities of securing R&D tax credits confidently. Our tailored approach focuses on understanding your unique operations and innovations, ensuring a personalised approach to maximise your R&D claims. With a deep grasp of tax regulations and incentives, we take care of the paperwork and research, allowing you to stay focused on what matters the most. We're not just about claiming credits, we're about maximising them.
As my company had been involved in research for many years I had intended to claim R&D tax credits. However the process looked time consuming and complex. The team at Alexander Clifford patiently and efficiently guided me through, to make a successful and worthwhile claim.
Rob C
I cannot recommend this firm enough! Their expertise in preparing R&D tax credit claims has been invaluable to our business. They are professional, knowledgeable, and always go above and beyond to ensure that we receive the maximum benefit possible. Thank you for all your hard work! Especially Jamie and Benjamin!
Raymond Wong
Dealing with Alexander Clifford for my R&D tax credits was a breeze and pleasure from start to finish. Their team are amenable, extremely knowledgeable and professional, and their claim process was very fast and efficient. I would highly recommend them to any company looking to take advantage of the scheme and we’re very much looking forward to working with them again in 2023. 5 stars all round.
Gary Jackson
The team at Alexander Clifford (Ben, Jamie, Josh, Andrew) have been incredibly helpful and professional in guiding us through our R&D tax credit claims. Their knowledge of the rules and process has undoubtedly saved us much time in preparing and submitting our claims. A pleasure to work with.
Phil Spratt
Isabella was very professional, I was very impressed by the research she had conducted on my company prior to our call. She had a very good grasp of my technology, developments and all the questions she asked to confirm what she had researched proved she had done her background research professionally and throughly. A true professional who doesn’t beat around the bush and gets straight to the point.
LinkedIn Recommendation
Andrew provides reliable support through all the necessary steps to get a successful return on investment in R&D. I am really pleased to use his service.
LinkedIn Recommendation
Our success stories
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Our 5-star reviews and personal recommendations from our delighted clients serve as resounding endorsements of our services and success stories. These testimonials vividly portray our unwavering reliability, unparalleled credibility, and the transformative impact we have had on our clients' businesses. Trust in the words of those who have experienced first-hand the transformative results we deliver, and embark on a journey of innovation and prosperity with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You have the flexibility to make an R&D tax claim at any stage of the R&D process, not solely at the project's conclusion. As long as there are eligible expenses within the financial year you are claiming for, you can submit the claim. Ongoing projects can be claimed across multiple years or even retrospectively, with a two-year window for making amendments.
All R&D claims must be accompanied by a completed CT600, as well as a full computation. The reason for this is to prevent penalties and, essentially, to reduce the chances of receiving rejections from HMRC.
The R&D tax claim has a time limit of two years from the conclusion of your accounting period. Within this period, you must submit your application for all eligible expenditures identified during that specific timeframe. This is because R&D tax credits fall under Corporation Tax relief, and the usual deadline for amending your Corporation Tax return is 24 months after the conclusion of your accounting period.
It’s natural for R&D projects to take a few years to complete. You cannot reuse as previous R&D tax credit claim. You cannot recycle or reuse a previous research and development (R&D) tax claim. Each claim must be assessed independently, considering the eligibility of your qualifying R&D activities and expenditure. However, if your work is ongoing and continues to address technological or scientific uncertainties, a single project can span multiple years for claiming purposes.
The standard deadlines for filing and amending company tax returns are as follows:
1. The absolute deadline for making R&D tax credit claims is within two years of the accounting period in which the R&D expenditure being claimed is incurred.
2. Profitable companies that are aware of the R&D Tax scheme typically prepare an R&D claim within 9 months and one day of the accounting period end when any tax due needs to be paid. This applies to both SME and RDEC claims, and the claim helps reduce the tax liability.
3. For loss-making companies claiming an R&D Tax Credit or an RDEC payable credit, it is beneficial to submit the claim as soon as possible to improve cash flow.
Your accountants can support your R&D tax claim application, provided their knowledge is up-to-date with how to submit an R&D claim as well as the latest roll out of changes to the rates. R&D tax credits demand a thorough understanding of your industry and the R&D initiative to uncover the complete scope of your claim, and potentially, receive your reward.
The method of receiving your R&D tax credits benefit depends on the specific R&D scheme you use for the R&D claim and your company's financial situation. Your preference may also play a role in the decision. The benefit can be received in various ways, such as a cash payment, a reduction in Corporation Tax, carrying forward or back an enhanced loss, or a combination of these options.
