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Research and development

Expert commentary and practical guidance from ICAEW on reliefs related to research and development within the UK corporation tax regime.

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Exclusive

Software project qualified for R&D tax relief

In a recent case, a company successfully appealed against HMRC’s decision to reject its claim for R&D tax relief. Stephen Relf explains the issues at the heart of the case and considers what the decision means for claims relating to software.
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What is R&D for tax purposes?

Understanding the definition of R&D is key to making a valid claim for tax relief. We explain the basics in a new video.
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Research and Development tax relief changes

This webinar will provide a practical overview of the changes to Research and Development tax relief regime in the UK, and what that might mean for you or your clients.
Find out more
Exclusive

What is happening in the world of R&D relief?

On 23rd March 2023, we invited author, tax advice specialist and ICAEW member David O’Keeffe to take us through an exploration of the current developments in R&D relief following the recent budget announcement. Check out the webinar and a summary of key information shared during the live broadcast.
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Practical guidance

TAXguide 03/23: R&D tax relief for accounting periods spanning 1 April 2023

The rates of research and development (R&D) tax relief have changed for expenditure incurred on or after 1 April 2023. In addition, the change in corporation tax rates from the same date means that the results for periods spanning 1 April 2023 must be time apportioned. This TAXguide uses examples to demonstrate the interaction of these changes.
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Features and articles

Government publishes its plans for corporation tax
  • Article
  • 30 Oct 2024
The government has set out its intentions for corporation tax for the next five years, delivering on its commitment to publish a business tax roadmap at the Autumn Budget.
HMRC turns the spotlight on GDPR provisions
  • Article
  • 21 Oct 2024
In Spotlight 65, HMRC has alerted taxpayers to issues with provisions for potential general data protection regulation (GDPR) fines or civil claims.
Exclusive R&D tax relief what you need to know
  • Webinar
  • 03 Oct 2024
This webinar from the Tax Faculty will provide an update on the current landscape and recent changes in R&D
Technical round-up: September 2024
  • Article
  • 26 Sep 2024
This month’s top stories feature ICAEW’s push for Budget tax reforms and a delay in VAT on private school fees, along with a reminder for high earners to submit their 2021/22 tax returns.
Software company wins R&D tax relief case
  • Article
  • 23 Sep 2024
Having struggled to convince HMRC that expenditure it incurred on a software project qualified for research and development tax relief, the company was successful in its appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.
CT600 loss figures may be incorrect
  • Article
  • 23 Sep 2024
HMRC is writing to companies and their agents where the amounts for losses reported in the company’s tax return (form CT600) are different from those included in the accompanying tax computations.
ICAEW makes its case for Budget tax measures
  • Article
  • 19 Sep 2024
ICAEW has set out its recommendations for the business tax roadmap to be published at the Budget and has encouraged the government to carry-out a wider review of the tax system. ICAEW's Tax Faculty goes through the details.
Tax news in brief 18 September 2024
  • Article
  • 18 Sep 2024
Highlights from the broader tax news for the week ending 18 September 2024, including: HMRC pillar two guidance; an update to the system for providing information in support of a claim for R&D tax relief; and new VAT legislation relating to caravans.
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Practical guidance

ICAEW's Tax Faculty provides practical support on technical areas of tax.
Exclusive TAXguide 07/23: Making R&D claims – what information must be submitted and when?
  • Technical release
  • 03 Oct 2023
Two new forms are required when making claims for research and development (R&D) tax relief. While the additional information form is required for all R&D claims, advance notification will also be required for some.
Exclusive TAXguide 03/23: R&D tax relief for accounting periods spanning 1 April 2023
  • Technical release
  • 09 May 2023
The rates of research and development (R&D) tax relief have changed for expenditure incurred on or after 1 April 2023. In addition, the change in corporation tax rates from the same date means that the results for periods spanning 1 April 2023 must be time apportioned. This TAXguide uses examples to demonstrate the interaction of these changes.

Webinars and recordings

Exclusive R&D tax relief what you need to know
  • Webinar
  • 03 Oct 2024
This webinar from the Tax Faculty will provide an update on the current landscape and recent changes in R&D
Tax in Practice - April 2023
  • Webinar
  • 26 Apr 2023
Join the Small Practitioners Community, ICAEW Tax Faculty and guest speaker Rebecca Benneyworth as they talk about HMRC service performance and ADL restrictions, MTD ITSA small business review, change to HMRC digital services, tax consultations and more.
Exclusive Research and Development tax relief changes
  • Webinar
  • 20 Apr 2023
This webinar will provide a practical overview of the changes to Research and Development tax relief regime in the UK, and what that might mean for you or your clients.
Exclusive What is happening in the world of R&D relief?
  • Webinar
  • 28 Mar 2023
On 23rd March 2023, we invited author, tax advice specialist and ICAEW member David O’Keeffe to take us through an exploration of the current developments in R&D relief following the recent budget announcement. Check out the webinar and a summary of key information shared during the live broadcast.

Bloomsbury Accounting and Tax Service

Eligible firms have free access to Bloomsbury Professional's comprehensive online library, comprising around 80 titles from some of the country's leading tax and accounting subject matter experts. Find out who is eligible and how you can access the Accounting and Tax Service.

Exclusive Research and development, patents and know-how
  • eBook chapter
  • 2024
  • Steven Bone, Martin Wilson
  • Capital Allowances - Transactions and Planning
A chapter on capital allowances for expenditure on research and development, patents and know-how.
Exclusive Capital allowances: transactions and planning 2024/25
  • eBook
  • 2024
  • Steven Bone, Martin Wilson
Guide explaining the practical and technical aspects of capital allowances and the related tax reliefs on property.
Exclusive Research and development tax reliefs
  • eBook
  • 2024
  • Maria Kitt
  • Research and Development Tax Reliefs
An up-to-date guide to claiming UK R&D tax reliefs effectively, providing complete, easy to follow guidance.
Exclusive Research and development tax relief - small and medium-sized companies
  • eBook chapter
  • 2024
  • Maria Kitt
  • Research and Development Tax Reliefs
A chapter on claiming research and development tax relief for UK SMEs, providing easy to follow guidance.
Exclusive Corporate tax reliefs for intellectual property
  • eBook chapter
  • 2024
  • Anne Fairpo, Mark McLaughlin, Maria Kitt
  • Tax Planning
A chapter on corporate tax reliefs for intellectual property, highlighting tax planning opportunities and potential pitfalls.
Exclusive Research and development
  • eBook chapter
  • 2024
  • Satwaki Chanda, Steve Collings, Jacquelyn Kimber, Maria Kitt, David O'Keefe, Andrew Parkes
  • Corporation Tax
Practical guidance on tax reliefs related to research and development within the UK business tax regime.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the Acceptable usage terms.

Articles and books in the ICAEW Library collection

The collection of the ICAEW Library & Information Service includes a range of articles, books and reports on research and development tax reliefs. A selection of books on this topic is set out below.
Research and development: with Patent Box, 4th ed.
  • Library book
  • 2024
  • G. Collins, C. Ridley
  • Claritax Books
This book offers valuable insights into the UK's special tax rules for research and development (R&D) expenditure. It reveals the scope of the relief available and provides guidance on meeting the statutory conditions for successful claims.
Research and development tax relief
  • Library book
  • 2022
  • J. Tragner
  • LexisNexis
A Tax Digest examining the background to R&D tax relief, the future of tax relief, and the R&D tax advice market.

To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to borrowing books.

You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports through our document supply service.

Representations

ICAEW REP 070/24 Business Tax Roadmap
  • Representation
  • 30 Sep 2024
  • PDF (162kb)
A letter sent from Frank Haskew, Head of Tax, ICAEW, to James Murray MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury.
ICAEW REP 065/24 ICAEW Autumn Budget submission 2024
  • Representation
  • 18 Sep 2024
  • PDF (313kb)
Ahead of the Budget on 30 October, ICAEW has published its submission to the Chancellor. ICAEW urges the government to put incentivising growth at the heart of the Budget, with recommendations including: long-term fiscal planning, a fundamental review of the tax system and investment in skills and green technologies.
ICAEW REP 066/24 R&D Briefing for MPs
  • Representation
  • 12 Sep 2024
  • PDF (211kb)
A update to the new government dated 29 July 2024.
ICAEW REP 023/24 R&D tax reliefs guidance on contracting out and overseas restrictions
  • Representation
  • 04 Mar 2024
  • PDF (456kb)
A representation dated 29 February 2024 to a consultation published by HMRC on 9 February 2024.
ICAEW REP 003/24 Finance Bill 2023-24 - Clause 2 and Schedule 1: New regime for research and development carried out by companies
  • Representation
  • 09 Jan 2024
  • PDF (175kb)
A briefing for MPs on the Finance Bill by ICAEW Tax Faculty.
ICAEW REP 100/23 Draft Finance Bill 2023-24
  • Representation
  • 21 Nov 2023
  • PDF (251kb)
ICAEW welcomes the opportunity to provide evidence on the Draft Finance Bill 2023-24 to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub-Committee.
ICAEW REP 095/23 R&D Tax reliefs reform
  • Representation
  • 14 Sep 2023
  • PDF (168kb)
A representation dated 14 September 2023 to a consultation published by HMRC on 18 July 2023.
ICAEW REP 084/23 Call for Evidence - SME Finance
  • Representation
  • 01 Sep 2023
  • PDF (290kb)
A representation dated 1 September 2023 to a consultation published by the UK Parliament Treasury Committee on 3 July 2023.

Useful links

Some resources that we link to may pre-date the latest amendments to the relevant tax regulations. While these links contain useful information, please treat them with appropriate caution.
Corporate Intangibles Research and Development Manual: R&D tax relief
  • Website
  • 07 Mar 2018
HMRC internal manual providing R&D rate tables, guidance and information on the treatment of R&D expenditure under SSAP 13, FRS 102, IAS 38 and FRS 105.
Research and Development (R&D) tax relief
  • Website
  • 07 Mar 2018
HMRC guidance on the different types of Corporation Tax relief available for companies that work on R&D, including specific guidance for small or medium-sized enterprises and information on claiming Research and Development Expenditure Credit .
Evaluation of Research and Development Tax Credit
  • Website
  • 18 Mar 2015
Research report produced by HMRC examining the take-up and use of Research and Development tax credits, and assessing their impact on R&D investment in the UK.

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided ‘as is’ with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

Further resources

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