Key points
- More than 85 000 research and development (R&D) claims made each year.
- From April 2023 all claims must be made digitally and other conditions satisfied.
- Making referrals to an R&D specialist can be a difficult decision for the client’s adviser.
- Unscrupulous firms must be driven out of the industry.
As the number of research and development (R&D) claims has exploded in recent years so too has the number of advisers specialising in this particular area of tax.
It has added a layer of complexity to the accountant/client relationship with the former often being asked to recommend R&D advisers to their clients – or even being challenged on why they have not identified that their clients could be eligible to submit a claim.
Navigating the incentive is about to become even more complex – with increased HMRC enquiries and changes to the claims process on the horizon...