How does Alexander Clifford help during an R&D tax credit enquiry?

When it comes to reviewing R&D tax relief claims, HMRC enquiries vary in scope and complexity. The time of completion will depend on the nature of the questions raised, the level of technical detail required and how quickly the business can provide information to HMRC. In straightforward cases, an enquiry may be completed within a few weeks. More detailed reviews, particularly where technical uncertainty or eligible expenditure requires further substantiation, can extend over several months.

At Alexander Clifford, enquiry management is approached as a structured and evidence-led process. Each R&D tax credit claim is prepared with input from a group of individuals including technical specialists and experienced advisers. This ensures that qualifying research and development activities are clearly articulated, baseline knowledge is properly defined and the position of the competent professional is accurately represented.

The preparation reflects current HMRC guidance and a detailed understanding of enquiry patterns. Claims are reviewed against HMRC’s criteria before submission, with particular attention to areas that are commonly challenged. As a result of this approach, our firm maintains an impressive enquiry rate below 1%, which reflects both the quality of submissions and the emphasis placed on compliance.

Click here to find out how we can help you through your claim.