R&D tax credit enquiries can be time-consuming and complex. Our specialist team will ensure they don’t get in the way of you running your business.
Enquiry support service for HMRC R&D tax relief enquiries
Our expert team will resolve your HMRC R&D enquiry, protecting your business and securing the best outcome for you.
Whatever stage of the enquiry process you are at, we offer:
- Outcome-focused enquiry support for SMEs and large companies tailored to your needs.
- Unrivalled specialist technical expertise from a multidisciplinary team that includes former HMRC inspectors, lawyers & industry experienced technical specialists.
- Actionable insights into evolving HMRC requirements and policy changes.
- Full pre-emptive claim reviews on a consultancy basis for complete peace of mind.
Enquiry support service
ForrestBrown’s enquiry support service can cover everything from a thorough claim review, making sure your R&D claim can withstand HMRC scrutiny, to managing every aspect of an enquiry on your behalf.
Want to know more about enquiries and why they’re raised? Find out all you need to know about R&D tax relief enquiries.
If you are facing an R&D tax credit enquiry relating to a claim you’ve prepared yourself or with another adviser or partner, then let our team of experts take complete control. Whether you need a sense check, have just received a compliance letter or need us to step into a long-running enquiry, we will help you to get the resolution you need.
Our enquiry support process
At ForrestBrown, we can take full and immediate control of your enquiry. We drive the enquiry process forward with a proactive approach, controlling the agenda and working towards a favourable resolution.
We tailor our process to your business and priorities – this is often a combination of preserving claim value and reaching a quick resolution. Although bespoke, you can expect our enquiry support service to include the following steps:
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Reviewing your documentation
Send us your R&D tax credit claim(s) and any correspondence you have received from HMRC. We will carry out a thorough review of the claim and any discussions held to date.
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Advising you on your position
Following our analysis, we will advise you on your current position and provide a report setting out our recommendations. Based on your priorities, we will outline our enquiry strategy to achieve the best possible result for your business.
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Implementing our recommendations
A multidisciplinary team with the right specialist technical expertise will help resolve the enquiry for you. We can take responsibility for all correspondence with HMRC and manage all aspects of the enquiry going forward, leaving you free to focus on other business priorities. We will keep you updated throughout.
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Information gathering & analysis
We will collect any further information required. This may include a visit to your place of work to understand your R&D. Our expert team will work directly with your competent professional and finance team when their input is needed.
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Responding to HMRC’s concerns
We will draft formal written responses to HMRC. Sometimes this will resolve the enquiry.
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Discussion, negotiation & resolution
Further discussions may continue until a satisfactory resolution is reached. If it comes to negotiation, our legal experts will manage this on your behalf. Our aim is to achieve the best possible result for your business.
The experts you need to navigate your R&D tax enquiry
When you’re facing an enquiry, you want the best possible team on your side to protect your reputation as well as the value in your R&D claim.
Once we’ve understood your business, we assemble a senior team of experts matched to your exact needs. They will then work tirelessly to protect your business and secure the best outcome for you. Our enquiry support team brings together:
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.
Enquiry specialists: lawyers and tax advisers to liaise with HMRC on your behalf.
Quality assurance: from a dedicated team including an former-HMRC inspector.
Our FB Consulting team has been shortlisted for Best Tax Disputes/Investigations Team at the 2025 Tolley’s Taxation Awards, recognising their outstanding work supporting businesses through complex HMRC enquiries. This nomination highlights our strategic, results-driven approach to navigating the evolving compliance landscape. Read more here >
Our experience with HMRC
ForrestBrown’s team has many years of experience of working closely with HMRC, including helping to draft best practice guidance, dealing with them on day to day matters involving R&D claims, and working with their compliance team to resolve enquiries. We have a good working relationship and understanding of the information they need to accept an R&D tax relief claim, which allows us to have meaningful discussions to inform our approach to successfully resolving your enquiry.
Our team has been actively involved in shaping R&D tax policy for a number of years and brings the latest insights into HMRC’s approach and focus areas. Our former HMRC inspectors know what it’s like to be on the other side of the desk, helping to inform our strategy and the way we communicate with the HMRC compliance team. Our experts have a track record of defending enquiries, establishing quick and quality dialogue with inspectors.
Jayne Stokes ACA Associate DirectorWe help you navigate an HMRC compliance check, developing a strategy to manage the enquiry and exploring procedural options available to achieve the resolution you need.
Enquiry support case study
How an HMRC enquiry set CMB up for the future
We learned a lot from the enquiry and can now go on to make future R&D tax credit claims with renewed confidence. ForrestBrown knows our business in-depth, and we’ve secured buy-in from our technical staff who are now keeping even better records in anticipation of our next claim.
Mike Camilleri, Finance Director, CMB
Martin Davis, Finance Director, Zenobe Energy
I can’t state how highly it was the right choice we came to you guys. It’s been a rare occasion that I’ve come across a firm that had mastery of their field comparable.
Sector specific support
We help this Top 40 firm with sector-specific R&D claims.
Every client I’ve referred has loved ForrestBrown’s way of working. It’s a great addition to Old Mill’s client service.
Aisha Perrott AAT CTA, R&D tax specialist, Old Mill
Donna Owens, Finance Controller, Linear Plastics
Having ForrestBrown in our corner made a big difference. Our enquiry was resolved quickly without distracting me from my day-to-day role. As a result, we retained our full benefit which was a relief as we’d already invested in new machinery.
An enquiry support client
ForrestBrown provided us with the perfect mix of specialist sector and tax expertise when we needed it most. The team put at our disposal were truly expert, very responsive and professional.
Everything you need to know about HMRC R&D tax enquiries
Regardless of where you are in the enquiry process, you want information you can trust. Our experts have helped compile in-depth guidance to take you through the process. Follow the relevant links below to read more:
What next?
Once an outcome has been reached with your enquiry, it’s important to look to the future. The first R&D tax credit claim you submit after an enquiry is critical. HMRC will expect that any feedback they provided during the enquiry will be reflected in your next R&D tax relief claim. They do check and will open another enquiry if they believe that similar risks are present, or that feedback has been ignored. For example, if you agree with HMRC to reduce a particular cost, or exclude a particular type of project from your claim during an enquiry, they will check to see if you have carried that treatment forward into the next period. If not, expect further challenge and they may well be less sympathetic next time round.
At ForrestBrown, we can help you strengthen your future claims, including everything from record-keeping measures to methodology. This is particularly important if you have had a claim adjustment or suspended penalty. We also work hard to ensure you’re in the best position to utilise R&D tax relief within your business going forward.
Enquiry support service for accountants
Is your client facing an HMRC enquiry? ForrestBrown can provide advice and support, or actively manage the enquiry for you. Enhance your relationship with your client by partnering with the right specialist at the right time.
Do you need specialist advice to resolve an R&D tax credit claim enquiry?
Get in touch to discuss how we can help you protect your business by resolving your enquiry.
- Telephone
- 0117 926 9022
- hello@forrestbrown.co.uk