Spent serious money on innovation? See if your R&D qualifies for tax relief.
If you’re a UK Limited company that’s invested £60k+ in R&D over the last 24 months, we’ll check whether your work meets HMRC’s R&D criteria, estimate the value of your claim, and outline the safest way to proceed.
Our team regularly handles complex software, engineering and science‑based claims and steps in when accountants or other advisers can’t take you further, especially when HMRC starts asking questions.
Spent serious money on innovation? See if your R&D qualifies for tax relief.
If you’re a UK Limited company that’s invested £60k+ in R&D over the last 24 months, we’ll check whether your work meets HMRC’s R&D criteria, estimate the value of your claim, and outline the safest way to proceed.
Our team regularly handles complex software, engineering and science‑based claims and steps in when accountants or other advisers can’t take you further, especially when HMRC starts asking questions.
Who this service is for
This is designed for:
- UK Limited companies paying Corporation Tax
- Businesses investing £60k+ in R&D over the last 24 months, read on to see what could count
- Teams developing genuinely new products, processes or systems; often in software, manufacturing, engineering, construction or life sciences.
It’s probably not right for you if:
- You’re a sole trader, partnership or micro‑company with minimal R&D spend
- Your work is mainly routine implementation of existing tools with no real technical uncertainty
- You’re looking for a “quick tax hack”, we only submit claims that are robust and defensible with HMRC.
Your free R&D Eligibility Check includes:
In one short call and a follow‑up review, we’ll give you a clear view of both eligibility and value, based firmly on HMRC’s current R&D rules.
A straight eligible / likely eligible / not eligible verdict based on HMRC’s definition of R&D for tax purposes.
An indicative estimate of your claim under the new merged R&D scheme or (where relevant) ERIS.
A personalised checklist of qualifying costs (PAYE staff, subcontractors, EPWs, consumables, software, data & cloud).
Recommended next steps and timelines, including any claim notification requirements for first‑time claimants and how we keep your claim HMRC‑ready.
Your free R&D Eligibility Check includes:
In one short call and a follow‑up review, we’ll give you a clear view of both eligibility and value, based firmly on HMRC’s current R&D rules.
A straight eligible / likely eligible / not eligible verdict based on HMRC’s definition of R&D for tax purposes.
An indicative estimate of your claim under the new merged R&D scheme or (where relevant) ERIS.
A personalised checklist of qualifying costs (PAYE staff, subcontractors, EPWs, consumables, software, data & cloud).
Recommended next steps and timelines, including any claim notification requirements for first‑time claimants and how we keep your claim HMRC‑ready.
Could your project qualify as R&D?
Look for these HMRC‑aligned signals
- You don’t need “white coats” or a lab, but HMRC does expect genuine advances and real technical uncertainty.
- You’re seeking an advance in science or technology, not just configuring off‑the‑shelf tools.
- You faced scientific or technological uncertainties that a competent professional couldn’t easily resolve at the outset.
- Your team followed a systematic approach: design, experiment, test, iterate, to resolve those uncertainties.
- You’ve invested £60k+ in people, contractors, software or other costs directly tied to that work over the last 24 months.
Common examples we see:
- New or improved software platforms, data pipelines, AI/ML models or complex integrations
- Novel manufacturing processes, materials or tighter tolerances
- Complex engineering designs, prototypes and control systems
- Innovation in medtech, agri‑tech, renewable energy or construction methods.
Not sure? We’ll tell you if your work doesn’t meet the bar (and why) so you’re not exposed to risky or borderline claims.
Trusted by UK innovators with complex R&D
2400+
R&D claims submitted on behalf of our clients
£Millions
R&D Tax Relief claimed for UK companies
£63,000
Average claim per client
1000+
Happy clients and a 5‑star Google rating
Mid‑sized, innovation‑heavy businesses choose Alexander Clifford when the claim really matters; especially for complex software and engineering projects, or when HMRC is already asking questions.
“My R&D application was complex and difficult to explain to those not working in the industry. Alexander Clifford’s technical and commercial expertise made sure the application was structured in such a way to ensure success.”
- Barry B.
“We switched to Alexander Clifford for our R&D tax credits and the difference was clear straight away. They were much quicker than our previous agency and delivered far better value.”
- Fiona M.
“We had a compliance check from HMRC on our R&D claim, originally handled by another company who weren’t interested in assisting. Alexander Clifford stepped in, rebuilt the claim and guided us to a successful outcome.”
- Sam R.
“The claim was prepared in under 2 weeks and we received the full tax return in 5 weeks. Worth paying a little more for quality work.”
- Vlad / Visual Sectors
Why UK innovators choose Alexander Clifford
Deep technical understanding
We get under the skin of complex software, engineering and science‑based projects, so your claim captures the full scope of your innovation, not just the obvious bits
HMRC enquiry specialists
We’re often called in when another adviser or accountant can’t or won’t handle an HMRC enquiry. We rebuild messy claims and defend them properly.
Premium service
Our clients value a higher success rate, stronger documentation and better outcomes.
Fast, structured process
Our teams prepare robust claims in weeks, not months, with many clients receiving HMRC pay-outs in under a month once submitted.
Compliance‑first, honest advice
If your work doesn’t genuinely qualify, we’ll tell you quickly, several reviewers thank us for disqualifying them rather than pushing a risky claim.
Why UK innovators choose Alexander Clifford
Deep technical understanding
We get under the skin of complex software, engineering and science‑based projects, so your claim captures the full scope of your innovation, not just the obvious bits
HMRC enquiry specialists
We’re often called in when another adviser or accountant can’t or won’t handle an HMRC enquiry. We rebuild messy claims and defend them properly.
Premium service
Our clients value a higher success rate, stronger documentation and better outcomes.
Fast, structured process
Our teams prepare robust claims in weeks, not months, with many clients receiving HMRC pay-outs in under a month once submitted.
Compliance‑first, honest advice
If your work doesn’t genuinely qualify, we’ll tell you quickly, several reviewers thank us for disqualifying them rather than pushing a risky claim.
A fast, compliant way to claim R&D tax relief
1
Check eligibility
Share the basics about your projects and R&D spend. We’ll assess them against HMRC’s definition of R&D (advance in science/technology, genuine technical uncertainty, competent professional) and quickly confirm whether it’s worth proceeding.
2
Build a robust claim
We work with your finance and technical leads to identify every qualifying activity and cost (PAYE staff, EPWs, subcontractors, consumables, software, data & cloud). Then we draft the technical narratives and financial breakdown to HMRC’s current standards.
3
Submit & get paid
We prepare the required Additional Information Form and claim paperwork, submit to HMRC and handle questions on your behalf. Many clients receive their benefit in around a month; HMRC’s target is typically 30 days, but timings can vary.
A fast, compliant way to claim R&D tax relief
1. Check eligibility
Share the basics about your projects and R&D spend. We’ll assess them against HMRC’s definition of R&D (advance in science/technology, genuine technical uncertainty, competent professional) and quickly confirm whether it’s worth proceeding.
2. Build a robust claim
We work with your finance and technical leads to identify every qualifying activity and cost (PAYE staff, EPWs, subcontractors, consumables, software, data & cloud). Then we draft the technical narratives and financial breakdown to HMRC’s current standards.
3. Submit & get paid
We prepare the required Additional Information Form and claim paperwork, submit to HMRC and handle questions on your behalf. Many clients receive their benefit in around a month; HMRC’s target is typically 30 days, but timings can vary.
Typical qualifying costs we uncover
Most mid‑sized innovators are under‑claiming. We often find qualifying costs that previous advisers or accountants have missed.
- Staffing & PAYE (incl. NICs, pensions and relevant training)
- Externally Provided Workers (EPWs)
Subcontracted R&D - Consumables (materials, water, fuel, power used up in R&D)
- Software, data licences & cloud computing directly supporting R&D
Contributions to independent research (specific cases)
FAQs
Do I need to be profitable to benefit?
Not necessarily. Under the current rules, companies claim a taxable expenditure credit (RDEC) at 20% under the merged scheme, while loss‑making R&D‑intensive SMEs may access enhanced support (ERIS). We’ll advise which route fits you.
What info do you need to submit a claim?
HMRC now requires an Additional Information Form to accompany your R&D claim, covering company details, project descriptions and costs. We prepare this for you.
I’m claiming for the first time - anything special to do?
Some first‑time claimants (or those who haven’t claimed in 3+ years) must pre‑notify HMRC within the “claim notification period”, which starts on day one of your period of account and ends 6 months after it ends. We’ll check if this applies and handle it.
Which costs can I include?
PAYE/staff costs, EPWs, consumables, software, data & cloud, and certain subcontractor costs are typical; rules vary by period and contractual setup. We’ll map everything to HMRC’s current guidance.
How long does it take to be paid?
Timings vary. HMRC aims to pay 85% within 45 days in many cases; some clients are paid in around a month.
Is there a minimum R&D spend you work with?
We’re best suited to companies investing £60k+ per year in qualifying R&D. If your spend is lower, we may still be able to point you towards helpful HMRC resources, but our advisory service is designed for larger, more complex claims.
Ready to see if your R&D qualifies?
If you’re a UK Limited company investing £60k+ in innovation, our specialists can quickly show you whether you’re leaving money on the table and how to claim it safely.
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