Claiming R&D tax credits

Get the credit you deserve

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.

Request a call back and start your R&D claim

We’d love to find out more about your business to see how we can support you. Speak to our expert team today.

What sets ForrestBrown apart for R&D tax relief

Unrivalled technical firepower

Your ForrestBrown team will include a proven combination of qualified chartered tax advisers and accountants, lawyers, former-HMRC inspectors, and sector specialists with hands-on industry experience.

Augmented by our proprietary technology, our team of leading technical experts work with you on-demand to deliver robust claims, maximising value for your business.

Leading our industry

We’re passionate about R&D tax credits and how the incentive helps your business innovate and grow.

That’s why we don’t just react to policy changes, but proactively help shape them.

We’re members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), leading professional standards in an otherwise unregulated market

Advice on your terms

We’d love to help you make the most of your innovation. We offer a range of tax advisory services. From our end-to-end R&D tax claim service, to delivering consultancy projects and enquiry support. We have the technical firepower to help your business grow.

Always tailored to your needs, we work flexibly to deliver actionable R&D tax advice on your terms.

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 more about the merged scheme for R&D tax relief >

How 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Katy Long

Chartered tax advisers and accountants: to oversee your claim and analyse your costs.

Peter Beavis

Sector specialists: to identify project costs and the full extent of your R&D.

Mark Andrew profile pic

Quality assurance: from a dedicated team including former-HMRC inspectors.

James Dudbridge

Enquiry support: from lawyers and tax advisers to liaise with HMRC on your behalf.

How much does it cost to claim R&D tax credits with ForrestBrown?

  • Our fee is typically calculated as a percentage of the benefit you receive and contingent on our success
  • It covers a completely end-to-end service and there are no hidden extras.
  • You can also engage ForrestBrown to carry out bespoke consultancy projects.

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.

Looking for help or advice around the changes to R&D tax relief in 2024?

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.