R&D tax relief remains a valuable government incentive for UK businesses investing in innovation, but the claims environment has changed significantly.

In this Lumina podcast, Nigel Adams is joined by Glenn Collins from ACCA, Suzanne Clements, Head of R&D Tax at Ad Valorem Group, and Panos Farantatos, Senior Technologist at Ad Valorem Group, to discuss R&D tax claims in today’s environment.

The panel explores what HMRC expects from claims now, how the compliance landscape has evolved, the role of technical evidence, and why due diligence is essential when working with R&D tax advisers or third-party providers.

You’ll hear practical insight on:

• What counts as R&D for tax purposes
• The difference between genuine R&D and routine development
• How to prepare robust, evidence-led R&D tax claims
• What HMRC is looking for in today’s claims
• How to approach R&D tax enquiries
• Why PCRT matters for advisers and businesses
• Questions to ask when carrying out due diligence on R&D tax claim providers

Questions to ask when checking you’ve done your due diligence

Before submitting or supporting an R&D tax claim, consider:

• Does the adviser have specialist R&D tax experience?
• Is there a clear technical assessment of the project work?
• Has a competent professional been involved?
• Are the qualifying costs clearly evidenced and traceable?
• Does the claim follow HMRC guidance and DSIT guidelines?
• Would the adviser be prepared to defend the claim under HMRC enquiry?
• Are the risks, assumptions and uncertainties clearly explained?
• Does the claim make good commercial and professional sense under PCRT?

Chapters:

• 0:00 Intros
• 0:43 How has the landscape changed?
• 6:35 Is the UK still looking to support innovation? 
• 9:57 Has what counts as R&D changed?
• 11:34 Where is the line between genuine R&D and routine development?
• 13:06 How important is it to involve a technical team when preparing a claim?
• 14:07 What is HMRC looking for in a claim today?
• 17:40 Approach to R&D tax claim enquiries
• 21:48 What is PCRT?
• 26:48 Importance of due diligence on 3^rd party providers/clients claims
• 29:18 3 key elements to a R&D tax claim
• 32:52 R&D tax claim enquiries
• 37:27 What are the commercial aspects?
• 41:04 Wrapping up – what’s the one most important aspect?

Useful links

Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation (PCRT)

Helpsheet topical guidance: the provision of R&D tax credit services 

(E) enquiries@advaloremgroup.uk (T) 01908 219100 (W) advaloremgroup.uk