R&D tax relief: where are we now?

In recent years we’ve seen changes to the rules, to processes and to HMRC’s approach to policing claims for research and development (R&D) tax relief. In this episode we map out the current landscape to help you navigate your way through it.

In an attempt to clamp down on fraud, more R&D claims are being checked, but is this deterring genuine claims? We also look at a new HMRC facility to disclose errors made in claims – who can disclose, how to disclose and the points to consider in determining whether or not a claim is correct.

Links

• Follow the numbers: R&D tax relief
  https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/tax-faculty/taxline/articles/2025/follow-the-numbers-r-and-d-tax-relief
• What is R&D for tax purposes?
  https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/tax-faculty/taxline/articles/2024/what-is-r-and-d-for-tax-purposes
• Disclosing errors in claims for research and development tax relief
  https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2025/jan-2025/disclosing-errors-in-claims-for-research-and-development-tax-relief 
• R&D: what changes apply and from when?
  https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/tax-faculty/taxline/articles/2024/r-and-d-what-changes-apply-and-from-when 
• MPs briefed on HMRC’s R&D compliance approach
  https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2024/sep-2024/mps-briefed-on-hmrcs-r-and-d-compliance-approach
• Software project qualified for R&D tax relief
  https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/tax-faculty/taxline/articles/2024/software-project-qualified-for-r-and-d-tax-relief 

Panelists

• Stephen Relf, Technical Manager, Tax, ICAEW
• Richard Jones, Senior Technical Manager, Business Taxation, ICAEW
• Angela Clegg, Technical Manager, Business Taxation, ICAEW

Producer

Ed Adams

Episode first published: 5 February 2025
Podcast recorded: 28 January 2025