R&D Tax Relief Claims - The Nuts & Bolts

Introduction

Updated for 2025, this virtual classroom session will provide a practical introduction and insight into an R&D tax relief claim by way of a case study.

From the initial conversations with the client and the submission of the claim to HMRC, through to handling HMRC enquiries into the claim and discussing the practical aspects of that work.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

Introduction

• Introduction and overview of R&D tax relief
• Structure and key objectives
• Understanding clients’ motivations and expectations
• A brief look at HMRC's advance approval process for R&D claims

Starting Conversations with Clients

• Identifying potential R&D activities in a business
• Key questions to ask to uncover qualifying R&D projects
• Key questions to build a robust claim
• Educating the client on R&D tax relief requirement and benefits

Submitting a Robust Claim to HMRC

• Gathering evidence to support the claim
• Avoiding assumptions and guesswork about qualifying expenditure
• Best practices for compiling a robust R&D claim
• New - the ‘competent professional’ review

Handling HMRC Enquiries

• What triggers an HMRC enquiry?
• Preparing for and managing HMRC and the client’s expectations during the enquiry process
• Successful navigation of an HMRC enquiry
• What happens if HMRC disagree with the claim

Sector Specific Considerations

• Software developers
• Construction businesses
• Engineering and manufacturing

Beyond the Claim

• Strategies to optimise the future claims process
• Record keeping
• Including RDEC in the statutory accounts

Conclusion and Q&A Session

• Summarising key takeaways
• Open floor for questions and further discussion

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.