R&D tax credits for UK companies
Most UK companies doing custom development, novel engineering or process science qualify for R&D tax credits and don't claim them. We've processed claims from £15k to over £150k for software, AI, engineering, manufacturing and biotech businesses.
Which companies typically qualify?
Six business types where we see consistent qualifying R&D activity. If your team builds custom tech, novel products or improved processes, you're likely sitting on an unclaimed credit.
AI and machine learning
Custom model training, RAG pipelines, fine-tuning LLMs for specific industries, agent orchestration, novel ML architectures. Average claim: £40k-£150k+.
Software and SaaS
Custom architecture, novel integrations, performance optimisations beyond published benchmarks, bespoke developer tooling and platform engineering.
Engineering and product development
Mechanical, electrical and electronic product design where the solution wasn't obvious to a competent professional. Prototyping, testing, iterative redesign.
Manufacturing and process improvement
Novel materials, production process improvements that resolve technical uncertainty, automation builds, quality control systems beyond off-the-shelf.
Custom software development
Custom CMS architecture, headless commerce builds, novel integrations between systems with no off-the-shelf connectors, performance-critical infrastructure.
Biotech, food tech and scientific R&D
Formulation work, process science, novel testing methods, scientific advance in a recognised field. Lab work, trials, iterative experimentation.
How our R&D claims process works
Four steps from initial assessment to HMRC payment. Most claims complete in 12-16 weeks total.
Eligibility assessment
30-min call. We review your projects against HMRC's qualifying activity tests. Most companies have more eligible work than they think.
Project scoping
We identify which specific projects qualify, apportion staff time, and quantify subcontractor and cloud costs. Done in 1-2 weeks.
Claim preparation
Full technical narrative + costing schedule. Built to HMRC's current standards, with proper documentation that holds up under enquiry.
Submission & monitoring
We submit, monitor HMRC processing, and handle any questions. Most claims pay out within 8-12 weeks.
Get a directional estimate first
Use our free R&D Tax Credit Estimator to see roughly what your claim could be worth before talking to us.
Open the calculatorBook a free R&D eligibility check
We review your projects against HMRC's qualifying activity tests. You leave with a clear yes/no and a directional estimate of claim size.
In the message field, please describe the type of custom development, engineering or process work your company does.
R&D credit FAQ
Does my company actually qualify?
More companies qualify than realise. The test is whether your work involves resolving genuine scientific or technological uncertainty, building something where a competent professional couldn't have just looked up the answer. Custom AI work, novel integrations, bespoke automation, engineering breakthroughs, process science all typically qualify. Pure configuration of off-the-shelf tools, template customisation and standard implementations do not. We assess for free.
What's the typical claim size?
Highly variable. AI-led companies with 4-8 engineers commonly claim £40k-£150k per year. SaaS, software and engineering companies building proprietary tooling typically claim £15k-£60k. Smaller companies doing some custom development or process improvement might claim £5k-£20k. The R&D-intensive enhanced rate (27% vs 20%) can lift these significantly.
What changed with the merged scheme in April 2024?
For accounting periods starting on or after 1 April 2024, the old SME and RDEC schemes were merged into one above-the-line credit at 20% of qualifying expenditure. R&D-intensive SMEs (where R&D spend is 30%+ of total expenditure and the company is loss-making) get the Enhanced R&D Intensive Support (ERIS) scheme. Subcontractor costs are claimable at 65%. The PAYE-NI cap may apply to limit claims for businesses with low payroll relative to claim size.
Do you charge a percentage of the claim?
We offer two options: fixed fee or contingent (percentage of successful claim, capped). Most clients prefer the fixed fee because the total cost is lower for substantive claims, but the contingent option works well for first-time claimants who want no upfront risk. We discuss both on the initial call.
How long does a claim take to process at HMRC?
HMRC's stated processing time is 40 working days for the merged scheme, though it's currently averaging 8-12 weeks. Enquiry rates have risen significantly since the 2023-24 reforms, so the quality of your technical narrative and costing schedule matters more than ever. We build claims to current HMRC standards.
Read the R&D library
Articles on R&D tax credit eligibility, claim mechanics, sector-specific qualifying activities and HMRC edge cases.
Browse R&D articles