R&D Tax Credits UK
Your R&D tax claim, properly prepared.
Many UK limited companies do qualifying R&D work without realising HMRC will pay them back for it. The eligibility rules are broader than most people think, and the preparation matters — a poorly documented claim invites scrutiny. Fixed-fee service, ACCA-qualified accountant, same-day replies.
- Know whether your work qualifies before committing to anything
- Every eligible cost identified and documented correctly
- Prior-year claims reviewed where a window is still open
- Claim submitted with a defensible technical narrative, not just numbers
No long-term contract. If it is not working after three months, you leave with clean books and nothing owed.
Get a free R&D quote
Fixed pricing. Same-day reply.
What our clients say
★★★★★
Fast Turnaround Without Cutting Corners
“Daniel was extremely responsive, clear, and professional throughout. He turned everything around very quickly without cutting corners.”
★★★★★
Tax Knowledge That Actually Saves Money
“His knowledge in tax law and what can be used for expenses really helped with saving money where I could.”
★★★★★
Every Detail Explained Meticulously
“Very professional, explaining every detail meticulously in order to finalise our accounts.”
★★★★★
Made a Confusing Process Completely Clear
“Daniel was very helpful and patient with me when I had no clue what to do and spoke through everything with me and made it clear.”
Sound familiar?
Not sure if your work counts as R&D?
Most business owners who qualify for R&D tax relief either do not know the scheme exists or assume their work is too ordinary to count. Software development, engineering improvements, bespoke manufacturing processes, and even failed product trials can all qualify. The eligibility criteria are set by HMRC, not by how innovative something feels from the inside. And missing a claim means leaving a PAYE-funded tax reduction sitting uncollected.
- ✕ Unsure whether your projects meet HMRC’s R&D definition
- ✕ No record of qualifying costs separated from general expenditure
- ✕ Prior-year claims not reviewed, window potentially closing
What a sorted R&D claim looks like
A proper R&D claim starts with an honest eligibility assessment, not a speculative submission. When the work qualifies, every allowable cost is identified, the technical narrative is written to HMRC’s requirements, and the CT600 is filed correctly. Which is, frankly, the way it should work.
- ✓ Eligibility assessed clearly before any work or cost is committed
- ✓ Qualifying costs — staff, software, consumables, subcontractors — identified and separated
- ✓ Prior two accounting periods reviewed so no open window is missed
- ✓ Fixed fee agreed upfront — no percentage of claim, no surprise invoices
What clients say about working with Daniel
Every client works directly with Daniel — not a junior or a generalist. These are their words, unedited.
Daniel was very helpful with my books and tax return. He offered great advise and insight in how to manage my books better and more efficiently. His knowledge in tax law and what can be used for expenses really helped with saving money where I could. As a sole trader it’s really hard to keep on top of things and have now asked Dan to do monthly books for me. His rates are extremely good compared to some other accountants out there and I get more for my money.
I worked with Daniel at DG Accountancy to review and sign off my sole trader accounts for a time-sensitive mortgage application, and the service was excellent. Daniel was extremely responsive, clear, and professional throughout. He understood exactly what the lender required, turned everything around very quickly without cutting corners. Communication was straightforward and reassuring, which made a potentially stressful part of the mortgage process much easier. Fees were transparent, turnaround was fast, and the work was done thoroughly and accurately. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Daniel to anyone needing reliable accountancy support, particularly where deadlines really matter.
What the R&D tax credit service covers
Three components make up a complete R&D tax credit engagement — from initial eligibility through to HMRC submission and any follow-up.
Eligibility Assessment and Scoping
Before any preparation begins, the qualifying activity is assessed against HMRC’s R&D definition — which is broader than most people realise. You get a clear yes or no, along with an indication of the likely claim value, so there are no surprises either way. No eligibility assessment cost if the claim does not proceed.
First stepClaim Preparation and Documentation
Every eligible cost is identified and quantified — staff time, externally provided workers, software licences, consumables and subcontractor fees. A technical narrative is prepared to HMRC’s requirements, explaining the qualifying uncertainty and the work carried out to resolve it. The documentation is built to withstand an enquiry, not just to pass the initial filing.
Core serviceCT600 Filing and HMRC Support
The claim is incorporated into your Corporation Tax return and filed via the CT600 amended return or as part of your year-end submission. If HMRC raises queries, those are handled directly — you will not be left to correspond with an inspector on your own. Prior-year windows are reviewed at the same time so nothing is left unclaimed.
IncludedConsistently rated 5 stars on Google
Eight verified reviews, all five stars. Clients range from sole traders to limited company directors across a variety of sectors.
Absolutely Recommend For Any Accounts Matter
“Absolutely recommend Daniel for all and any accounts related matter. Would use his expertise again. He is the most amazing person, very professional, explaining every detail meticulously in order to finalise our accounts. A huge thank you Daniel.”
Took the Tax Burden Off Our Workload
“Huge thanks to Daniel for helping ourselves with our taxes! Being self employed means we all have to do this ourselves which is just not possible on top of our work load. Thanks again! We will be using you again!”
Patient, Clear, Recommended Without Hesitation
“Daniel was very helpful and patient with me when I had no clue what to do and spoke through everything with me and made it clear, couldn’t recommend him enough, thank you again.”
What makes this different from a standard R&D claim service
Most R&D specialists charge a percentage of the claim. DG Accountancy charges a fixed fee and does the work properly.
No percentage-of-claim fees
Most R&D claim firms take between 15 and 25 percent of the credit as their fee. DG Accountancy charges a fixed, transparent amount agreed before any work begins. That means the advice is about what is right for your claim, not what maximises the invoice.
Documentation built to withstand scrutiny
HMRC’s approach to R&D enquiries has tightened considerably since 2022. A claim submitted without a credible technical narrative and properly separated costs is a liability, not an asset. Daniel prepares claims that would hold up under a compliance check — which is what you actually want, not just a refund followed by an enquiry two years later.
Cross-sector eligibility knowledge
Twenty years across airlines, construction, manufacturing and entertainment means Daniel already understands how qualifying R&D activity tends to present in these sectors — before you explain it. That shortens the assessment, reduces the back-and-forth, and means nothing obvious is missed.
Up and running in four steps
The process from first conversation to submitted claim is straightforward. Most clients are surprised by how little is required from them.
Book a free discovery call
A short call to understand your business, the work you do, and whether it is likely to meet HMRC’s R&D definition. No commitment, no sales pitch. You will leave knowing whether it is worth proceeding.
Receive your fixed-fee quote
If the work looks eligible, you receive a clear written quote covering the full claim preparation and filing. Everything is agreed before anything starts — no scope creep, no percentage surprises.
We prepare the claim
Daniel works through your qualifying costs, drafts the technical narrative, and prepares the CT600 amendment. Most of the information gathering is handled via a structured process — you answer questions about the work, Daniel handles the translation into HMRC’s required format.
Claim filed, credit received
Once filed, HMRC typically processes a valid claim within four to eight weeks. Any queries are handled directly. Going forward, you have a clear record of what was claimed and why — making future claims considerably faster.
“Professional service. This company does my accounts every year and i never have to worry about it. Speedy as well. I am a very happy customer.”
Common questions about R&D tax credits
How do I know if my work actually qualifies as R&D under HMRC’s definition?
HMRC’s definition centres on whether your project sought to achieve an advance in science or technology by resolving a scientific or technological uncertainty — not whether it felt innovative from where you were standing. Software development with genuine technical challenges, bespoke engineering solutions, novel manufacturing processes, and new product development often qualify. The assessment is the first thing done, before any preparation begins, and it is honest: if the work does not qualify, that is what you will be told.
What does an R&D tax credit claim cost, and how is the fee structured?
DG Accountancy charges a fixed fee, agreed upfront before any work begins. There is no percentage-of-claim fee. The exact amount depends on the complexity of the claim, the number of qualifying projects and the state of your existing records. You will receive a clear written quote after the initial eligibility conversation — no obligation to proceed.
My records of the R&D work are not great. Can I still make a claim?
Patchy records are common, particularly for businesses making their first claim. The preparation process involves working through what documentation exists — timesheets, project notes, invoices, contracts — and building a reconstruction where gaps exist. HMRC expects contemporaneous evidence, but a well-reasoned claim with partial records is considerably better than no claim at all. The strength of the technical narrative matters as much as the paperwork.
Is there a minimum contract or lock-in?
No. R&D tax credit preparation is a project-based engagement — you are not signing up to an ongoing contract. If you are also a monthly accounting client, that engagement is rolling with no long-term tie-in. You can leave with clean records and no outstanding obligations.
What changed with the R&D scheme reforms in 2024, and does it affect my claim?
HMRC merged the SME R&D relief and RDEC schemes into a single merged scheme for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024. The merged scheme changes the relief rate and the rules around subcontractor costs and overseas expenditure. Whether this affects your claim — and in which direction — depends on your company’s size, structure and the nature of your qualifying costs. This is assessed as part of the claim preparation process.
Can I claim for more than one year if I have not claimed before?
Yes. HMRC allows R&D claims to be made up to two years after the end of the relevant accounting period. If your company has been doing qualifying work for several years without claiming, it is worth reviewing those open windows before they close. Both periods are assessed at the same time where possible, which keeps the additional cost modest.
Stop leaving your R&D credit uncollected.
A short discovery call is all it takes to find out whether your work qualifies. Fixed fee, ACCA-qualified, plain-English guidance from start to submission.