SMEs can claim back up to 33% of qualifying costs incurred whilst resolving scientific or technological uncertainties (11% for large businesses) through HMRC Research and Development Tax Credits. Our in-house tax experts have a 100% success rate when it comes to claiming R&D tax relief, below they provide a simple guide to the scheme.

THE HMRC R&D REGIME

HMRC R&D Tax Credits are a government scheme designed to help innovative UK businesses. Through Corporation Tax deductions or a cash payment, HMRC R&D tax credits reward investment in innovation and are a valuable source of funding for growth. The R&D regime has been historically misunderstood with many businesses thinking it is reserved for cutting-edge scientific research.

In fact, R&D tax credits are very generous, and are available for any activities that take a risk by attempting to ‘resolve scientific or technological uncertainties’. When it comes to claiming R&D tax relief, such activities include but are not limited to:

Software development (e.g. apps)
Product development (e.g. a new shampoo range)
Scientific research (i.e. medical testing)
Technological invention (i.e. battery or renewables technology)
Improvement of existing software, products, or services
Investment in failed products
Improvement of internal processes

Determining whether innovation qualifies for the scheme, along with understanding what costs are eligible, can be complex.

Qualifying Projects

The project must seek to resolve scientific or technological uncertainties.

This does not just include cutting-edge scientific research done in a laboratory, but also design and engineering work which involves overcoming difficult technological problems such as creating or making appreciable improvements to new processes, products, or services; software development; engineering design and new construction techniques across a whole range of industries.

The research and development does not need to be ‘novel’; if similar technology has already been developed but is not readily available (e.g. trade secret), then the R&D qualifies.

HMRC R&D guidance encourages us to consider:

1. Is there a project?
2. Are you seeking an advance in a field of science or technology?
3. Does the advance extend the overall knowledge or capability in the field of science and technology?
4. Does the project involve an uncertainty that competent professionals cannot readily resolve and where solutions are not common knowledge? This is often shown through trial and error.

Who can claim?

Any UK company that is subject to Corporation Tax (regardless of size or industry).

	SME	Large company
Size	Not more than £100m turnover or £86m gross assets and fewer than 500 staff. Most companies fall into this category.	500 staff or more and either more than £100 million turnover or £86 million gross assets.
Scheme name	R&D tax relief for SMEs	Research and Development expenditure credits (“RDEC”)
Claim value	The R&D credit increases tax deductions to 230% on eligible costs.Loss making companies can claim a cash payment of 33% of eligible costs.	The RDEC scheme credit is 13% of qualifying costs (accounted for above the line). The credit is taxable, thereby creating a cash benefit of 11% (by offsetting a tax liability or generating a cash repayment

ELIGIBLE COSTS

A variety of costs directly attributable to the development project are eligible. These include:

Salaries, NIC and pensions (apportioned for time directly attributable to the project)
Subcontractor and freelancer costs
Consumables, including lighting and heating
Some software
Production of prototypes
Trials
Capital expenditure incurred for R&D purposes

Certain costs, such as production and trademarks are not eligible.

Claiming R&D Tax Relief

Analyse your eligible expenditure and compute the amount eligible for HRMC R&D claims. A detailed review by an expert ensures that 100% of eligible costs are captured and the claim is maximized.
Insert the claim into your corporation tax return and submit to HMRC within 2 years of the balance sheet date
In conjunction with your scientific/development staff, draft a report detailing how each project sought to resolve scientific and technological uncertainties. Careful drafting ensures the claim will succeed.
The claim is accepted and HMRC will either make a cash payment or offset your tax liability.

Come Elemental può assistere

Elemental’s experts will work with your development/research staff and financial controllers to identify qualifying projects and tabulate eligible costs. We quantify the claim and prepare a report to submit to HMRC to support the numerical analysis. Our thorough approach and high standards have guaranteed a 100% success rate to date.

The rules are complicated. We keep the process simple. Contact us and see how we can help.