Dealing with tax credits is a specialist area that requires expertise and up-to-date knowledge. On this page you can access a range of articles, books and online resources providing quick links to tax news, background information and key documentation.
Information and services
Enquiry service
Our expert enquiry team can help answer your technical and research questions. We have access to a wide range of print and online resources, including specialist tax databases.
The enquiry service is available to all ICAEW members and students – simply contact us and we will respond within 24 hours. Contact us by phone on +44 (0)20 7920 8620, by fax on +44 (0)20 7920 8621 or by email at library@icaew.com.
Articles and books
Our collection includes key tax annuals, recent articles on developments in tax credits and other books on this area.
To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to book loans.
You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports by post, fax or email through our document delivery service.
Find more articles
The library provides access to a range of articles in full text from leading business, finance and management journals.
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Useful links
ICAEW
Tax Faculty
The faculty is the voice of ICAEW on tax. It offers technical publications and newsletters, guidance notes, thought leadership, events and seminars and supports an online community of tax professionals.
Tax news: Tax credits
The latest news items and alerts from the Tax Faculty.
Personal tax credits
HMRC
Tax credits
Guidance from HMRC, including information on payments and entitlements and links to forms, manuals, rates and thresholds.
Other resources
Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT)
The Chartered Institute of Taxation, professional body for tax advisers in the United Kingdom, has published a number of technical articles on the subject of tax credits. Use the search facility to find relevant articles.
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)
Official website of the charity which campaigns ‘or the abolition of child poverty in the UK and for a better deal for low-income families and children’. As part of their campaign CPAG provides advice on tax credits and monitors the impact of the system. CPAG has published various documents relating to Tax Credits in the Welfare Rights > Tax Credits section of the website, including:
- Tax credits factsheets
- Tax credits publications
- Tax credits e-bulletin
- Tax credits training and conferences
- Tax credits policy briefings
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Organisation which has published a number of research reports and briefings relating to the tax and benefit system including the system of tax credits.
Low Incomes Tax Reform Group
Organisation which campaigns for a more equitable and accessible system of taxation and related benefits for people on low incomes such as pensioners, students and part-time workers. The Tax Credits section of the website includes an overview on the main features of the tax credits system.
TaxAid
TaxAid is a charity which provides ‘free tax advice to people who cannot afford to pay a professional adviser’. The website includes a dedicated section for tax credits.
Work, Welfare and Savings (HM Treasury)
The HM Treasury website includes consultation documents and discussion papers on the modernisation of tax and benefits documents, including the tax credits system.
Research and development tax credits
HMRC
Research and Development (R&D) Relief for Corporation Tax
Guidance from HMRC, including information on relief schemes for SMEs and large companies, qualifying for reliefs and capital allowances.
Other resources
Impact of the R&D Tax Credit (PDF 456.9kb/7 pages)
CBI briefing published in February 2009 which looks at the value of the R&D tax credit to growing R&D investment in the UK.
Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credits
Guide to R&D Tax credits published by the Department for Business Innovation & Skills. The site includes a set of FAQs and a selection of case studies and leaflets.
Guidelines on the Meaning of Research and Development (R&D) for Tax Purposes
Guidelines issued by the Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry on 5 March 2004 for the purposes of Section 837A Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. The guidelines took effect from 1 April 2004, replacing the previous guidelines issued on 28 July 2000. The guidelines define what activities may qualify for various R&D tax reliefs including the R&D tax credits.
Archive
BE Studios v Smith & Williamson
The full text of the BE Studios v Smith & Williamson [2005] EWHC 1506 (Ch) case is available on the British and Irish Legal Information Institute website. The case involved a company that sued its tax advisers for not advising that it could claim for R&D credits.
Tax credit error cost £150K
Article published in Accountancy Age on 21st July 2005.
Cracks show in R&D scheme
Article published in Accountancy Age on 28th July 2005.
BE stung by R&D ruling
Article published in Accountancy Age on 28th July 2005.
Researching R&D
Article published in Taxation magazine on 16 August 2007 which ‘provides an overview of the rules for research and development tax relief’ and considers the effect of the decision in BE Studios Ltd v Smith & Williamson Ltd.
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