R&D tax incentive FAQ

To apply for R&D tax incentives, you need to follow these steps:
  • Identify the eligible R&D projects within your business.
  • Maintain detailed records of all R&D activities and related costs.
  • Calculate the total eligible R&D expenditure.
  • Include the R&D claim in your company’s
  • Corporation Tax return, with a detailed report supporting your claim.
  • Submit the claim to HMRC for review.
Find out how we do it in the section further up this page.

To register for R&D tax incentives, your business must:

  • Be a UK limited company subject to Corporation Tax.
  • Be involved in qualifying R&D activities aiming to make advancements in science or technology.
  • Maintain comprehensive documentation of R&D projects and expenses.
  • Ensure that the R&D projects address scientific or technological uncertainties.

When claiming R&D tax incentives, you should provide:

  • Detailed project descriptions outlining the R&D activities undertaken.
  • Evidence of the scientific or technological uncertainties addressed.
  • Records of staff costs, consumables, software, and subcontractor expenses related to the R&D projects.
  • Timesheets and work logs for employees involved in R&D activities.
  • Financial records and receipts for all claimed expenditures.
We can help you get all of this information together and make your claim quick and easy.

Yes, startups can apply for R&D tax incentives. As long as your startup is a UK limited company involved in qualifying R&D activities, you can benefit from the R&D tax incentive scheme, regardless of your company's size or profitability.

How we prepare your claim

We only include expenditure and projects where we consider there is a reasonable basis for claiming them. Where we do not think a cost or project qualifies, we will tell you, and it will not form part of your claim.

You remain responsible for providing complete and accurate information and for reviewing and approving your claim before it is submitted to HMRC. We prepare claims in accordance with the applicable legislation and HMRC guidance. HMRC determines the outcome of every claim and how long it takes to process.

Read our commitments in full