R&D tax credits — claimed properly, defended robustly.
Identification, technical narrative, and cost computation for UK limited companies — only where the activity genuinely qualifies.
HMRC has tightened its R&D scrutiny significantly. Most claims that get rejected weren't fraudulent — they were poorly evidenced. We screen, prepare, and submit claims that hold up under enquiry.
Is this for you?
- Limited companies investing in technical or scientific advancement
- Companies developing software, hardware, processes, or products
- Companies resolving technical uncertainty (not commercial uncertainty)
- First-time claimants whose accountant has never raised R&D
- Companies under HMRC enquiry on a previously filed R&D claim
What's included.
Eligibility screening
Honest assessment of whether your activity qualifies. We say no when it doesn't.
Technical narrative
Written by us with you — capturing the technical uncertainty and advancement.
Qualifying expenditure
Staff costs, subcontractor costs, software, consumables — calculated correctly.
CT600 + Additional Information Form
Submitted with your corporation tax return per HMRC's current requirements.
HMRC enquiry support
If HMRC questions the claim, we handle the response and defend the position.
Prior-year claims
Where defensible, we can amend the previous accounting period within the 2-year window.
The system that turns this service into a year-round process.
Deadline Lock tracks the 2-year R&D claim window so no qualifying year is missed. Evidence Pack captures the technical documentation contemporaneously — not assembled retrospectively. Portfolio Reporting Pack surfaces R&D-eligible spend monthly.
Read more about Compliance Vault™Documented in your engagement letter. Reviewed annually.
- WhatsApp typically under 30 min
- Email within 1 working day
- Monthly close by the 7th
- Phone manned reception, typically within 10 min
Three steps. No back-and-forth.
Step 01: 20-minute discovery call
We confirm fit and walk through how this service would work for your business.
Step 02: Engagement and onboarding
Engagement letter, Direct Debit, and Compliance Vault™ setup — typically within 24 hours.
Step 03: Year-round delivery
Monthly numbers, tracked deadlines, advisory raised — and an Annual Compliance Review every 12 months.
Bundled with corporation tax service. Standalone enquiries from £2,500.
A specific fee is agreed in writing after your 20-minute discovery call. No hourly billing. No surprise charges. No add-on tiers.
What you get from us that you don't get elsewhere.
We say 'no' honestly
If the activity doesn't qualify, we tell you. Better to not claim than to lose an enquiry.
Technical narrative written properly
We draft the narrative with you — not a copy-paste template. HMRC notices.
Contemporaneous evidence
Through Compliance Vault™, R&D evidence is captured as work happens, not reconstructed two years later.
Enquiry support included
If HMRC questions the claim, we defend it. Not an add-on fee.
R&D tax credits — claimed properly, defended robustly — common questions.
What qualifies as R&D for tax purposes?
HMRC's R&D definition focuses on resolving technical or scientific uncertainty — not commercial uncertainty. The activity must seek an advancement in science or technology that wasn't readily deducible by a competent professional. Building a website typically doesn't qualify; building novel software solving a technical problem usually does.
How much can I claim back?
Under the merged scheme (from April 2024), the credit is typically 20% of qualifying expenditure for profitable companies, with R&D-intensive SMEs getting an enhanced rate. The exact value depends on whether you're claiming under the merged scheme, ERIS, or transitional provisions. We model the value before you decide whether to claim.
Has HMRC really got stricter on R&D?
Yes. Since 2023, HMRC has opened far more R&D enquiries, with rejection rates rising significantly. Many were claims pushed by 'R&D advisors' on contingent fees with no accountancy depth. We only claim where the activity qualifies and the evidence is contemporaneous and defensible.
How long does an R&D claim take?
Typically 4–8 weeks for preparation (technical narrative, cost computation, Additional Information Form). HMRC processing is typically 8–12 weeks but can take longer if they enquire. For first claims, expect 3–6 months end-to-end.
What if HMRC opens an enquiry?
We handle the response. The Additional Information Form pre-empts most enquiries, but if HMRC questions the technical advancement or expenditure, we defend the claim with the evidence we captured contemporaneously through Compliance Vault™. Enquiry support is included when we prepared the claim.
Often handled together.
Book a 20-minute call.
We'll confirm whether we're a fit, and if we are, we'll tell you exactly what r&d tax credits would look like for your business.