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Why You Should Work with a Professional to Claim Your R&D Tax Credit

Looking to claim R&D tax credits in the UK? A professional consultant can help you maximise your claim, avoid errors and audits, and save time and resources. Learn more in this post.

Barrie Dowsett

Chief Executive Officer

05/04/2023

8 minute read


If you're involved in research and development (R&D) for your business, you could be eligible for R&D tax credits. These credits are a valuable financial incentive offered by many governments worldwide, designed to encourage business owners to invest in researching and innovating in their field. However, claiming R&D tax credits can be a complicated and time-consuming process that requires a deep understanding of tax  regulations, and qualifying activities. That's where a professional consultant comes in.

R&D tax credits can help businesses reduce their tax liability significantly or even receive a cash refund for qualifying expenses, making them a significant source of funding for businesses across many industries.

Unfortunately, many companies miss out on these incentives due to a lack of knowledge or understanding of the intricacies of the process. This is where working with a professional consultant comes in, as they can help you identify and maximise your potential claims, reduce errors, and save you valuable time and resources.

Working with a professional consultant can give you an advantage when claiming R&D tax credits. These experts have extensive knowledge of the qualification requirements, the necessary documentation and record-keeping, and the filing process, ensuring that you're taking advantage of every credit you may be eligible for. Additionally, they can identify areas of your research and development that you may not have considered qualifying activities, helping you claim the maximum amount available.

Suppose you're considering making a claim for your business's R&D tax credits, working with a professional consultant is the best way to ensure that you're making the most of this incentive. So instead of struggling with the process alone, consider working with an expert to maximise your claim and access the funding you need for continued growth and success.

Expertise and knowledge

One of the key advantages of working with a professional R&D tax credit consultant is their ability to stay up-to-date with the latest regulations and guidelines. This enables them to provide accurate and reliable advice on what activities qualify, how much can be claimed, and what documentation needs to be provided. They also have extensive experience in dealing with HMRC, which means they can help businesses negotiate any potential issues that may arise during the claims process.

When evaluating a consultant's expertise and knowledge, it's important to consider their experience in the industry. Look for consultants who have worked with a range of businesses, from small start-ups to large corporations, as this will demonstrate their ability to adapt to different situations and industries. Additionally, consider their qualifications and certifications, as well as any relevant articles or publications they may have authored.

Another factor to consider is whether the consultant has a deep understanding of your specific industry. Different industries may have unique R&D tax credit criteria, so having a consultant who is familiar with your field can be incredibly advantageous. They will understand the specific challenges and opportunities facing your business, and be able to tailor their advice and support accordingly.

Hiring a professional consultant can help businesses maximise their claims, reduce errors, and save valuable time and resources. When evaluating potential consultants, consider their experience, qualifications, and industry-specific knowledge to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Maximising your claim

A professional R&D tax consultant will start by reviewing your R&D projects and expenditures to identify which ones are eligible for tax credits. They will also help you understand the requirements and limitations of the program, as well as advising you on any potential risks associated with the claim. This ensures that all eligible work is identified, and that the claim is suited to your particular situation.

Consultants use different strategies and techniques to help businesses maximise their claims. They may use a range of tools, including specialist tax software and detailed record-keeping systems, to ensure your claim is accurate, up-to-date and meets HMRC's requirements. They may also engage in discussions with your technical teams to further explain the projects and understand the technical complexities of the R&D activities carried out. This is especially important when it comes to helping the consultant create the technical report that accompanies your R&D tax claim.

Examples of successful claims that were made with the help of professional consultants are abundant.

For example, Virtulab, a SaaS business that has expanded to several other software-based client facing solutions. Almost all their products are visually based and are designed to provide unique insights - or enable you to engage with the physical world in different ways. Having reviewed the project, Myriad Associates’ technical consultants prepared detailed reports that clearly demonstrated how TheVirtuLab projects qualified for R&D Tax Credits. We then submitted a fully optimised claim on the company’s behalf.

Another example is Daften Die-casting, a UK based specialist aluminium pressure die-casting manufacturer, providing a full in-house service offering that includes tool and component design, tooling manufacture, machine finishing and powder coating.

Myriad Associates undertook a site tour before thoroughly reviewing all of Daften Die-Casting’s potential development projects. Myriad immediately identified considerable levels of eligible R&D activities that qualified for R&D tax credits.

Myriad Associates' Technical Consultants then interviewed Daften Die-Casting’s technical staff and produced very accurate and detailed technical reports. Meanwhile, Myriad Associates' qualified Cost Accountants analysed Daften Die-Casting’s cost base to capture all claimable R&D expenditure.

The R&D Tax Relief claim was submitted to HMRC for review together with the relevant revised tax returns and computations.

These are just two examples of how working with a professional R&D tax credit consultant can help your business maximise your R&D tax credit claims, reduce errors, and save you time and resources.

Reducing errors and avoiding audits

Professional consultants also provide guidance on the eligibility criteria and required documentation for claiming R&D tax credits.

A common error that businesses tend to make when claiming R&D tax credits is the lack of proper documentation. They fail to provide sufficient evidence to support their claim or underestimate the time and resources they have invested in R&D activities. This often leads to rejected claims or audits from HMRC. Another mistake businesses make is claiming costs that do not qualify for R&D relief. This could be anything from general business expenses to salaries for employees not involved in a research project.

To avoid audits and reduce the risk of errors, businesses need to ensure that they have adequate documentation to support their claim. This can include project plans, technical reports, and detailed financial records. It's also important to understand the eligibility criteria and ensure that you only claim expenses that qualify for R&D relief. Outlining specific R&D activities and demonstrating how they meet the criteria can also help to reduce the risk of errors.

Saving time and resources

Filing incorrect or incomplete claims can be costly, not to mention frustrating. That's where a professional R&D tax credit consultant comes in.

A professional R&D tax credit consultant can take on a variety of tasks and responsibilities, including reviewing existing projects to determine eligibility, calculating the potential value of a claim, and assisting with the documentation required for a successful submission. Additionally, they can stay up-to-date with changing regulations and requirements, ensuring that clients are always maximising their potential return.

By focusing on these tasks, businesses can save time and resources that can be allocated elsewhere. This can be especially valuable for small or medium-sized companies that may not have designated resources for tax credit claims. Rather than taking time away from other responsibilities, businesses can leave the task to a professional consultant and rely on their expertise.

There are several examples of businesses that have benefited from working with a professional consultant. For example, a UK-based software company was able to focus on its product development while its consultant claimed back £1.5m in R&D tax credits. Another company, a manufacturer of medical equipment, was able to focus on expanding its sales while its consultant claimed £400k in tax credits.

By handling the various tasks and responsibilities related to filing claims, a professional consultant can ensure that businesses are maximising their potential return while staying up-to-date with changing regulations and requirements. As the aforementioned examples show, the benefits of working with a professional consultant can be significant, making it an investment worth considering for any business that is eligible for R&D tax credits.

Conclusion

Claiming R&D tax credits in the UK can be a daunting task for businesses of all sizes. Not only is it complex, but it also requires an extensive understanding of tax legislation and knowledge of the claim process. This is why it is highly recommended that businesses work with a professional R&D tax credit consultant to maximise their claim, reduce errors, and save valuable resources.

To summarise, the key points to consider when deciding to work with a professional consultant are:

1. Expertise: A professional consultant possesses the knowledge and experience to thoroughly assess and identify eligible activities for R&D tax credit claims.

2. Time-Saving: Hiring a professional consultant will help free up the time and resources of a business, allowing them to focus on their core activities.

3. Risk Reduction: Working with a professional minimises the risk of mistakes, ensuring that the claim is both accurate and compliant with HMRC regulations.

The benefits of working with a professional are clear. By helping businesses maximise their claim, reduce errors and save time, a professional consultant can provide long-term financial benefits for companies investing in research and development.

Why choose Myriad Associates to help with your R&D tax claim?

Myriad Associates has been managing R&D Tax Credit claims for nearly two decades, assisting a broad range of companies up and down the country. No matter what size or sector your company is in, we can help.

We understand how important R&D Tax Credits are, both to individual companies and the wider economy as a whole. However, because the government is keen to maintain the scheme’s success, they often update the rules and regulations around these R&D tax schemes, which can get confusing. This is where we come in.

The expert team of R&D tax advisors here at Myriad Associates apply a unique methodology when navigating through the complexities of the R&D tax claims process. To secure the R&D tax relief you're eligible for, we maintain a holistic approach. First, we’ll work to understand the technical and scientific uncertainties your project faced in order to ensure we meet HMRC's strict R&D tax credits criteria.  Then, we’ll use that information to build a robust technical report, collate all the relevant costs and calculate the benefit owed for inclusion in your company’s tax return. We’ll also happily handle any enquiries from HMRC should they arise. The claims criteria can be difficult to understand and so enquiries are becoming a more regular occurrence as HMRC works hard to tackle abuse of the scheme.

Do you need help with an HMRC enquiry?

Has your R&D tax relief claim attracted the attention of HMRC? Don’t panic.

Enquiries into R&D tax relief claims by HMRC are on the rise. Our highly-qualified team will provide the utmost support to secure a beneficial resolution for your HMRC R&D enquiry, so that you can rest assured knowing your business is in safe hands.

We are well equipped to offer actionable advice on any R&D tax relief enquiries made by HMRC as well as provide proactive reviews that can help ensure complete peace of mind during these uncertain times.

If you’ve been contacted by HMRC about your R&D Tax Credit claim, or you’d simply like to know more, please do get in touch using our contact form or call our friendly team on 0207 118 6045.

Get in touch with the R&D tax relief experts at Myriad Associates

Whatever stage you’re at in your claim for R&D Tax Credits, simply contact us on 0207 118 6045 or use our contact page.

Whether you need full support from start to finish or simply have a quick question, we’re here to help


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