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Research and Development (R&D) reliefs support companies that work on innovative projects in science and technology. It can be claimed by a range of companies that seek to research or develop and advance in their field. It can even be claimed on unsuccessful projects.
You may be able to claim Corporation Tax relief if your project meets the definition of R&D.
Projects that count as R&D
The work that qualifies for R&D relief must be part of a specific project to make an advance in science or technology. It cannot be an advance within a social science – like economics – or a theoretical field – such as pure maths.
The project must relate to your company’s trade – either an existing one, or one that you intend to start up based on the results of the R&D.
To get R&D relief you need to explain how a project:
- looked for an advance in science and technology
- had to overcome uncertainty
- tried to overcome this uncertainty
- could not be easily worked out by a professional in the field
Your project may research or develop a new process, product or service or improve on an existing one.
Advances in the field
Your project must aim to create an advance in the overall field, not just for your business. This means an advance cannot just be an existing technology that has been used for the first time in your sector.
The process, product or service can still be an advance if it’s been developed by another company but is not publicly known or available.
Show that a professional in the field could not work this out
You should explain why a professional could not easily work out your advance.
You can do this by showing that other attempts to find a solution had failed.
You can also show that the people working on your project are professionals in that field and get them to explain the uncertainties involved.
Show there was uncertainty
- A scientific or technological uncertainty exists when an expert on the subject cannot say if something is technologically possible or how it can be done – even after referring to all available evidence.
- This means that your company or experts in the field cannot already know about the advance or the way you achieved it.
- Explain how you tried to overcome the uncertainty.
- You should show that the R&D needed research, testing and analysis to develop it.
- You need to be able to explain the work you did to overcome the uncertainty. This can be a simple description of the successes and failures you had during the project.
Types of R&D relief
There are different types of R&D relief, depending on the size of your company and if the project has been subcontracted to you or not.
Small and medium sized enterprises (SME) R&D Relief
You can claim SME R&D relief if you’re a SME with:
- less than 500 staff
- a turnover of under 100 million euros or a balance sheet total under 86 million euros
You may need to include linked companies and partnerships when you work out if you’re a SME.
SME R&D relief allows companies to:
- Deduct an extra 130% of their qualifying costs from their yearly profit, as well as the normal 100% deduction, to make a total 230% deduction.
- Claim a tax credit if the company is loss making, worth up to 14.5% of the surrenderable loss.
Research and Development Expenditure Credit
This replaces the relief previously available under the large company scheme. Large companies can claim a Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) for working on R&D projects. It can also be claimed by SMEs and large companies who have been subcontracted to do R&D work by a large company.
The RDEC is a tax credit, it was 11% of your qualifying R&D expenditure up to 31 December 2017. It was increased to:
- 12% from 1 January 2018 to 31 March 2020.
- 13% from 1 April 2020.
For further information
For assistance with R&D tax credits, contact help@bizlawuk.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 07583452230 and we can connect you to the right professional. Visit https://www.bizlawuk.co.uk to find out more about how we can help you with our other business services like https://www.bizlawuk.co.uk/solicitors-in-pinner/consultant-on-call/, check our 5-star testimonials and watch our YouTube channel or listen to our podcasts. If you find this information useful, please follow our social media platforms, like, and share.
