Your trusted adviser for R&D Tax Credits, Creative Tax Relief, and R&D Grants
Compare R&D tax advisor fees in the UK. Learn what affects cost, how to choose the right advisor, and whether fees are tax deductible.
R&D tax advisor fees are a topic shrouded in mystery. Just getting a quote can require conversations with each separate advisor in hushed tones, adding extra decision-making time to a time-sensitive process.
We think that's unnecessary, especially when you're trying to make an informed decision about something as important as your R&D tax credit claim.
Now that HMRC requires you to submit project details through the Additional Information Form and with scrutiny at an all-time high, getting your claim right the first time is essential. But what’s the price tag for that peace of mind?
An R&D tax credit specialist is a professional with training and experience focused on helping businesses identify, document, and claim eligible R&D activities and expenses. They have a deep understanding of HMRC’s guidelines, ensuring compliance with the law while maximising your benefit from HMRC.
They help you avoid the twin pitfalls of overclaiming (hello, penalties) and underclaiming (goodbye, money you're entitled to).
There are many types of R&D tax specialists who come with different benefits – and different price points.
The main options are:
Advisor fees can vary significantly depending on the service model and claim complexity.
Specialist R&D tax advisors include boutique firms and large accounting practices with R&D tax teams.
Typical fees: 15-30%
The most widely advisor used is the boutique consultancy firm, who specialises in R&D tax credits and perhaps some other forms of innovation funding. These firms make R&D tax credits their bread and butter; they know the legislation, they know robust claims, and they know HMRC.
Boutique firms typically offer the full-service experience. They'll interview your team, gather your costs, write your reports, and handle the submission. It's hands-off for you, but that premium service comes with a higher price tag.
Most consultants require a consultation before quoting, as every claim is different. Fees usually range from 15% to 30%, but flexible options are often available.
The best boutique firms are transparent about their fees upfront. At Myriad, we've made fee transparency our mission – our tiered percentage structure links directly to your tax benefit, so you know exactly what you're paying for.
Check out Myriad's R&D Tax services, pricing and guarantee
Typical fees: 5-15%
Accounting practices sometimes offer R&D tax credit services for their innovative clients. For smaller practices, this may only include the financial and tax elements, or even just the actual submission. For larger practices, they may take on the entire claim at the same level as a boutique firm.
It’s always worth discussing your options with your accountant and assessing their appetite for preparing your claim.
The key is understanding your accountant's expertise level. Are they R&D tax specialists, or is this a side service? Some practices outsource the technical work to specialists anyway, which might actually work in your favour, combining continuity with expertise.
You’ll often find fixed fee structures with smaller accounting practices, especially if only part of the claim preparation is offered.
However, mid-tier and large accounting firms may have teams dedicated to R&D tax claims, so you’ll be looking at a similar fee structure to boutique firms for a similar level of expertise.
In many cases, yes. Fees paid to professional advisors for R&D tax relief support are generally deductible business expenses. However, you should confirm this with your accountant as individual circumstances vary.
Typical fees: 5-10%
The digital revolution has hit R&D tax credits with the arrival of online and software solutions. Some offer a simple template for you to fill in, some have taken advantage of the powers of AI to help you write your report, and some have R&D tax experts reviewing the project information you submit behind the scenes.
While AI tools are impressive, remember that explaining your R&D projects requires deep understanding of your actual work. This is something chatbots can't replicate. Look for platforms that combine technology with human expertise.
Fee structures vary too: percentage fees, fixed prices, or subscription models. The critical question is: what support do you get when things get complicated? A compliance check isn't the time to discover your platform's limitations.
When it comes to using a software platform, knowing your expected fees upfront can help you decide how much effort you want to put into your claim.
Tax Cloud is the UK’s first (and best!) online portal for SMEs to make their R&D tax credit claim. It is fully supported by an expert team who review and edit all your R&D project information. Tax Cloud’s experts will even take care of the claim submission, from Advance Notification Form to CT600.
SMEs using Tax Cloud can expect rates of 5% (subject to a minimum fee and reduced to 2.5% for any benefit received over £200,000). This is often very attractive to companies looking to reduce their costs by spending a bit more of their own time on a claim.
Typical fees: Free (plus your time and sanity)
There is no requirement for you to use an advisor to make your claim. Many companies prepare their own successfully. But "free" doesn't account for the substantial time investment – expect 20 hours minimum for a thorough job, more if it’s your first time.
DIY works if your finance team has solid R&D tax experience. If you're learning as you go, factor in the risk. Resources are available to help you make your own claim; you can download our R&D tax credits eBook here.
With new rules around subcontractors, overseas costs, and the Advance Notification Form, and scrutiny from HMRC still high, the margin for error has shrunk considerably. Making your own claim is not a decision to make lightly, but it can be worthwhile if you’re confident in your team’s abilities.
| Advisor Type | Fee Range | Claim Quality | Your Time Input |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boutique Firms | 10-30% | High | 4-6 hours |
| Accountancy Practices | 5-15% | Low-Medium | 6+ hours |
| Online Portals | 5-10% | Medium-High | 10+ hours |
| DIY Claim | Free | Low-Medium | 20+ hours |
Not all advisors are created equal. There are certain things to look for when choosing a specialist, to separate the professionals from the opportunists:
Transparency & Terms
Credibility & Experience
Professional Standards
Steer clear of any advisor who:
The cheapest option isn't always the best value, especially when a weak claim could trigger a costly compliance check. Focus on finding an advisor who combines reasonable fees with proven expertise and transparent practices.
If you’re interested in hearing more about our tiered percentage fee structure, or want to discuss our flexible pricing options, get in touch with our team.
At Myriad, we’re transparent about what we charge, so you can make the best decision for your claim. Prefer a fixed fee? Prepared to do some of the work yourself for a better deal? We’re always open to discuss alternative pricing structures.
If you’re not sure about a full-service consultant (and its price tag), many SMEs are now looking to online portals like Tax Cloud. Using Tax Cloud offers a compromise between the price you pay and the time you invest, while never sacrificing the strength of your claim.
Compare R&D tax advisor fees in the UK. Learn what affects cost, how to choose the right advisor, and whether fees are tax deductible.
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Please contact us to discuss how working with Myriad can maximise and secure R&D funding opportunities for your business.
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