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R&D Tax Credits for Innovative UK Businesses
Claim the tax relief your company is entitled to for genuine research and development work, prepared to withstand HMRC scrutiny.
Many businesses carrying out genuine innovation never claim the R&D tax relief they’re entitled to, often because they don’t realise their work qualifies, or because the rules have changed enough in recent years to put people off trying. At Durhams Accountants we help businesses across Wakefield, Yorkshire and the wider UK identify qualifying research and development activity, prepare robust claims under the current merged R&D scheme, and submit them in a way that stands up to HMRC’s increased scrutiny of this area, so you receive the relief you’ve genuinely earned.
What Counts as Qualifying R&D
R&D tax relief isn’t limited to laboratories and scientists; it covers any project seeking to resolve a genuine scientific or technological uncertainty, including software development, engineering improvements, and process innovation, provided the answer wasn’t readily available or deducible by a competent professional in the field. Qualifying costs typically include staff time, subcontractor and externally provided worker costs, software and consumables used directly in the R&D. We help you identify which of your projects and costs genuinely qualify, rather than over-claiming on everyday business activity.
How the Merged R&D Scheme Works
Since April 2024, the previous separate SME and RDEC schemes have merged into a single scheme for most companies, offering a 20% R&D expenditure credit that is taxable, meaning the actual cash benefit depends on your Corporation Tax position. Loss-making companies with a high proportion of their spending on qualifying R&D can access additional support under separate enhanced provisions for R&D-intensive SMEs. We work out which rules apply to your company and calculate your likely benefit before you commit time to a claim.
HMRC Scrutiny and Getting It Right First Time
HMRC has significantly increased compliance checks on R&D claims in recent years, following a rise in poor-quality and sometimes fraudulent submissions by less scrupulous advisers. A well-evidenced claim, with a clear technical narrative explaining the uncertainty you were addressing and why the solution wasn’t readily available, is now essential rather than optional. We prepare claims with the documentation and technical detail needed to withstand HMRC enquiry, protecting both your relief and your company’s reputation.
Our Process: How We Prepare Your R&D Claim
1
Identify qualifying projects
We review your activities to establish which genuinely meet the R&D definition.
2
Gather the costs
We identify qualifying staff, subcontractor and consumable costs for each project.
3
Build the technical narrative
We document the scientific or technological uncertainty addressed and why.
4
Calculate the claim
We apply the correct scheme rules to calculate your expected relief.
5
Submit and support
We file your claim and support you should HMRC raise any questions.
Second Opinions and Switching Advisers Welcome
If a previous claim was prepared by a specialist R&D firm you’re no longer confident in, or you’d simply like a second opinion before submitting, we’re happy to review existing claims or take over an ongoing one. Given the increase in HMRC compliance activity in this area, a careful review of past claims can also identify whether anything needs correcting proactively. There’s no need to wait for a new accounting period, and we can review your prior claims alongside preparing your current one.
Why Choose Durhams Accountants
R&D claims require a careful balance: claiming everything you’re genuinely entitled to, while building a technical case robust enough to survive HMRC’s increased scrutiny. We take the time to understand what your business actually does, rather than applying a generic template, and prepare claims with the evidence and narrative quality that gives you confidence in the outcome. Based in Wakefield and working with innovative businesses across Yorkshire and the UK, we combine tax technical knowledge with genuine curiosity about your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my business need to be in a technology sector to qualify?
No, qualifying R&D happens across many sectors, including manufacturing, construction, food production and software, wherever a genuine technical uncertainty is being resolved.
What changed with the merged R&D scheme?
From April 2024 the separate SME and RDEC schemes merged into one scheme for most companies, generally offering a 20% taxable expenditure credit, with extra support for R&D-intensive loss-making SMEs.
Can loss-making companies still claim R&D relief?
Yes, loss-making companies can still claim under the merged scheme, and those that are particularly R&D-intensive may access enhanced support.
Will HMRC query my claim?
HMRC has increased checks on R&D claims generally, which is why we focus on building a well-evidenced, clearly explained technical narrative for every claim we prepare.
How far back can I claim R&D relief?
Claims can generally be made for the two most recent accounting periods, so it’s worth reviewing past qualifying activity that hasn’t yet been claimed.
How is pricing structured for R&D claims?
We typically agree a fee based on the complexity of identifying and documenting your qualifying projects, confirmed upfront before any work begins.
Think your business might qualify for R&D relief?
Talk to us about your projects, or use the form alongside this page for a no-obligation initial review.