We’d love to find out more about your business to see how we can support you. Speak to our expert team today.
Claiming R&D tax credits
Rewarding your investment in innovation
ForrestBrown is the leading provider of R&D tax advice in the UK, acting as a trusted adviser to many of the UK’s most innovative businesses. We deliver robust R&D tax credit claims to ensure your business is rewarded for your investment in innovation.
By claiming R&D tax reliefs with ForrestBrown, you have access to our award-winning team of chartered tax advisers, accountants, lawyers, sector specialists and former-HMRC inspectors. Our experts take on the heavy lifting of your claim preparation, saving your team time and ensuring you receive the valuable funding your business deserves.
The government confirmed in the Autumn Statement 2023 that a merged R&D scheme will be introduced for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024.
Learn moreHow to claim R&D tax credits with ForrestBrown
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to accessing R&D tax advice. At ForrestBrown our team of experts adapt our tried-and-tested methodology to fit your business. Below are some of the stages you can expect as part of your engagement with ForrestBrown.
R&D tax claim process
-
1
Discovery and assessment
Your dedicated point of contact and expert project team will kick off your claim and work with you to identify the information needed to create your claim.
Do you have the expertise you need? Our expert team is made up of chartered tax advisers, accountants, lawyers, sector specialists, technical writers and account managers, hand-picked to support your specific business needs.
-
2
Information gathering and analysis
We combine tax technical firepower with in-depth sector knowledge to uncover the full extent of your qualifying R&D. Our chartered tax advisers and sector specialists will work directly with your finance and technical teams to gather all the information we need for your claim. We will then use this to create a bespoke methodology based on your records.
Are you currently spending too long preparing your R&D claim? Let our team do the heavy lifting and free up your team’s time.
-
3
Creating your R&D tax credit claim
We will document your claim and the evidence required for HMRC, explaining how your activities and costs have been assessed, and your total R&D tax credit benefit determined. This ensures you can be confident that you have a robust claim.
How confident are you in the methodology and evidence behind your claim? Our QA team review all claim submissions and our proprietary technology platform tracks each stage of claim preparation providing a clear audit trail.
-
4
Approvals and submission
We will share our reports with you for approval and will explain our findings. We will file your R&D tax credit claim for you via your Corporation Tax return (CT600) or work with your accountant to do so.
Do you understand what you’re claiming and why? Our team will explain their findings and communicate and manage any associated risks so you can be confident that you’re submitting a robust and defensible claim.
-
5
Dealing with HMRC on your behalf
After we’ve submitted your claim via your Corporation Tax return (CT600) we’ll keep in touch with HMRC to ensure minimal hold-ups. In the unlikely event HMRC opens an enquiry, we will work to resolve this for you.
Do you need support to ensure your claim remains on track? With increased scrutiny into R&D claims it pays to work with an experienced specialist who has an existing relationship with HMRC and understands what they are looking for.
-
6
Receiving your benefit and reinvesting
You are rewarded for your investment in innovation and your Corporation Tax bill will be reduced or your cash benefit is paid into your bank account. That’s money to spark your next big idea and fuel your continued growth – reinvesting in projects and people.
Are you thinking about future investment in R&D? Don’t treat your claim as a box-ticking exercise. With ForrestBrown’s support you can embed a culture of innovation and use R&D tax reliefs as part of a strategic plan for your future growth.
Are you looking for a specific piece of advice?
Our team can provide your business with specialist advice, whatever stage you are at. From due diligence and claim reviews, to international projects and training – we’re here to support you with best-in-class tax advice.
Assembling the best team for your business
We will assemble a team of experts with the right specialisms to suit your business and its needs. These include chartered tax advisers, chartered accountants, lawyers, sector specialists, technical writers, former HMRC inspectors, quality assurance experts and account managers.
Chartered tax advisers and accountants: to oversee your claim and analyse your costs.
Sector specialists: to identify project costs and the full extent of your R&D.
Quality assurance: from a dedicated team including former-HMRC inspectors.
Enquiry support: from lawyers and tax advisers to liaise with HMRC on your behalf.
Success stories
Robert Bird, Director, Stanton Williams Limited
We feel that we are in safe hands working with ForrestBrown and would highly recommend them. They are very attentive, rigorous and thorough, which is reflected in the work that they do
R&D in manufacturing
ForrestBrown’s team of tax advisers and sector experts from industry give me the confidence that their advice is in the best interest of Dartington Crystal. They approach our claim each year with a genuine enthusiasm for our business which makes the whole team a delight to work with.
Alan Ramsay, Finance Director, Dartington Crystal
Tom Burnell-Nugent, COO, Doctify
ForrestBrown goes beyond the conventional tax consultancy approach, to be hands on, helpful and consultative, whilst also being aware of how time poor Doctify can be. With their efficient and seamless end-to-end handling of our R&D claims, they have proven to be a superb partner.
Redefine what’s possible
The key to our success has been our relentless R&D programme – and the key to that process has been ForrestBrown’s support.
Richard Browning, Founder and CEO, Gravity Industries
Shahad Choudhury, Chief Innovation Officer, OpenBrix
As a CIO in a technology business it can feel like I’m being bombarded by advisers making promises about R&D tax relief. ForrestBrown has helped cut through this noise.
How much does it cost to claim R&D tax credits with ForrestBrown?
Depending on your specific requirements, our fee can be charged as a percentage of the benefit you receive, as a fixed amount or on a time and materials basis.
It can cover an end-to-end service or a bespoke service to suit your requirements. We’ll always be transparent with you about what assumptions we have built into our fee proposal.
Changes to R&D tax relief from 1 April 2024
SME R&D tax relief and the Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) will be merged for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024, although an enhanced rate for R&D intensive SMEs will continue to be available.
The merged scheme moves to a single rate and set of qualifying rules with elements from the existing two schemes, including clarification of subcontracted out and subsidised R&D. Restrictions on overseas R&D also come into force from 1 April 2024.
ForrestBrown’s expert team is on hand to help businesses understand what these changes will mean and what they can do to prepare.
Our latest R&D insights
Speak to us
We’re passionate about helping our clients access the valuable funding they deserve for their innovation. Speak to our team to discuss your business today.
- Telephone
- 0117 926 9022
- hello@forrestbrown.co.uk