What can I claim?

I think the company might be eligible - what next?

You or your tax adviser can use this guidance to help confirm your eligibility for R&D tax relief and prepare a claim. It's important to look at the detail of each of the requirements before making a claim. There are references throughout to HMRC's detailed guidance for tax inspectors, the Corporate Intangibles Research & Development (CIRD) manual. The CIRD manual is what tax inspectors will refer to in checking claims and is also very helpful for companies making a claim.

You normally claim as part of your corporation tax self assessment return. As you self assess your entitlement to R&D reliefs, only a proportion of claims made will be subject to detailed checking, called an 'enquiry'. If you self assess your entitlement incorrectly and are paid, this money could be demanded back in later years should the errors be found.

To make a claim you will need to check the requirements are satisfied and you will need to calculate the qualifying R&D expenditure. A form (EXCEL 50K) to help you quantify your claim is included in this guidance. It is also a good idea to give some information about why your work is R&D when sending in your corporation tax self assessment and a suggested template to help you do this forms part of this guidance. Each of the key areas to consider is outlined below.