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Research and development

Expert commentary and practical guidance from ICAEW on reliefs related to research and development within the UK corporation tax regime.

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Exclusive

Research and Development tax relief changes

This webinar will provide a practical overview of the changes to Research and Development tax relief regime in the UK, and what that might mean for you or your clients.
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Exclusive

What is happening in the world of R&D relief?

On 23rd March 2023, we invited author, tax advice specialist and ICAEW member David O’Keeffe to take us through an exploration of the current developments in R&D relief following the recent budget announcement. Check out the webinar and a summary of key information shared during the live broadcast.
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Practical guidance

TAXguide 03/23: R&D tax relief for accounting periods spanning 1 April 2023

The rates of research and development (R&D) tax relief have changed for expenditure incurred on or after 1 April 2023. In addition, the change in corporation tax rates from the same date means that the results for periods spanning 1 April 2023 must be time apportioned. This TAXguide uses examples to demonstrate the interaction of these changes.
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Features and articles

ICAEW responds to draft Finance Bill 2023-24 provisions
  • Article
  • 20 Sep 2023
The Tax Faculty provided input on measures relating to the proposed merged R&D tax credit scheme, tougher measures for promoters of tax avoidance, changes to data HMRC collects from customers and abolishing the pensions lifetime allowance.
HMRC reminds companies to submit R&D additional information forms
  • Article
  • 06 Sep 2023
Since 8 August 2023, claims for research and development tax relief require completion of an additional information form (AIF). However, almost half of all claims received by HMRC between 8 August and 3 September have not included the form.
ICAEW technical round-up: August 2023
  • Article
  • 31 Aug 2023
This month’s top stories include HMRC’s extension to the trial for responding to old post; draft legislation released which prompts taxpayers to provide more information to HMRC; and the latest figures on HMRC caller waiting times.
HMRC guidance on handling R&D tax relief claims
  • Article
  • 15 Aug 2023
New guidance in HMRC’s corporate intangibles research and development (CIRD) manual focuses on procedures for companies with customer relationship managers but includes some points of wider interest that would also apply to smaller companies.
Additional tax reliefs for research and development (R&D) intensive small and medium-sized enterprises and potential merged R&D scheme
  • Article
  • 01 Aug 2023
This measure is about additional tax relief for Research and Development (R&D) intensive small and medium-sized enterprises and a potential merged R&D scheme.
Features of a merged R&D tax relief scheme
  • Article
  • 01 Aug 2023
On 18 July, this year’s Legislation or ‘L’-Day’, the government published draft legislation setting out the design for a merged research and development (R&D) tax relief scheme. However, no decision has been taken to introduce a merged scheme.
Enforcement of new R&D requirements deferred until 8 August 2023
  • Article
  • 26 Jul 2023
New claim notification and additional information requirements will not be enforced until 8 August 2023. These rules were expected to apply from 1 August 2023, but due to delays in Finance Bill timetabling they will now take effect one week later.
Legislation Day 2023: R&D, pensions and some unexpected announcements
  • Article
  • 18 Jul 2023
While a lot of the material published on 18 July was expected, there were some surprise announcements including planned administrative changes to the high income child benefit charge.
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Practical guidance

ICAEW's Tax Faculty provides practical support on technical areas of tax.
Exclusive TAXguide 03/23: R&D tax relief for accounting periods spanning 1 April 2023
  • Technical release
  • 09 May 2023
The rates of research and development (R&D) tax relief have changed for expenditure incurred on or after 1 April 2023. In addition, the change in corporation tax rates from the same date means that the results for periods spanning 1 April 2023 must be time apportioned. This TAXguide uses examples to demonstrate the interaction of these changes.
TAXguide: 06/20 Spring Budget 2020
  • Technical release
  • 12 Mar 2020
Rishi Sunak delivered his first Budget of 2020 on 11 March. The Tax Faculty provides its summary of all the key tax announcements in this TAXguide.

Webinars and recordings

Tax in Practice - April 2023
  • Webinar
  • 26 Apr 2023
Join the Small Practitioners Community, ICAEW Tax Faculty and guest speaker Rebecca Benneyworth as they talk about HMRC service performance and ADL restrictions, MTD ITSA small business review, change to HMRC digital services, tax consultations and more.
Exclusive Research and Development tax relief changes
  • Webinar
  • 20 Apr 2023
This webinar will provide a practical overview of the changes to Research and Development tax relief regime in the UK, and what that might mean for you or your clients.
Exclusive What is happening in the world of R&D relief?
  • Webinar
  • 28 Mar 2023
On 23rd March 2023, we invited author, tax advice specialist and ICAEW member David O’Keeffe to take us through an exploration of the current developments in R&D relief following the recent budget announcement. Check out the webinar and a summary of key information shared during the live broadcast.
R and D for the Small Practice
  • Webinar
  • 23 Mar 2023
Understand how R and D tax reliefs are changing, explore potential problem areas and get insight into preparing R and D claims.

Bloomsbury Accounting and Tax Service

Eligible firms have free access to Bloomsbury Professional's comprehensive online library, comprising more than 60 titles from some of the country's leading tax and accounting subject matter experts. Find out who is eligible and how you can access the Accounting and Tax Service.

Exclusive Research and development
  • eBook chapter
  • 01 Feb 2023
Practical guidance on tax reliefs related to research and development within the UK business tax regime.
Exclusive Corporate tax reliefs for intellectual property
  • eBook chapter
  • 01 Dec 2022
A chapter on corporate tax reliefs for intellectual property, highlighting tax planning opportunities and potential pitfalls.
Exclusive Research and development, patents and know-how
  • eBook chapter
  • 01 Aug 2022
A chapter on capital allowances for expenditure on research and development, patents and know-how.
Exclusive Research and development tax reliefs (3rd edition)
  • eBook
  • 01 May 2022
An up-to-date guide to claiming UK R&D tax reliefs effectively, providing complete, easy to follow guidance.
Exclusive Research and development tax relief - small and medium-sized companies
  • eBook chapter
  • 01 May 2022
A chapter on claiming research and development tax relief for UK SMEs, providing easy to follow guidance.
Exclusive Capital allowances: transactions and planning 2022/23
  • eBook
  • 01 Aug 2021
Guide explaining the practical and technical aspects of capital allowances and the related tax reliefs on property.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the Acceptable usage terms.

Representations

ICAEW REP 095-23 R&D Tax reliefs reform
  • Representation
  • 14 Sep 2023
  • PDF (168kb)
A representation dated 14 September 2023 to a consultation published by HMRC on 18 July 2023.
ICAEW REP 084-23 Call for Evidence - SME Finance
  • Representation
  • 01 Sep 2023
  • PDF (290kb)
A representation dated 1 September 2023 to a consultation published by the UK Parliament Treasury Committee on 3 July 2023.
ICAEW REP 017-23 R&D tax reliefs review
  • Representation
  • 07 Mar 2023
  • PDF (169kb)
A representation dated 3 March 2023 to a consultation published by the government in January 2023.
ICAEW REP 009-23 RD tax relief changes guidance from 1 April 2023
  • Representation
  • 17 Feb 2023
  • PDF (209kb)
A comment dated 6 February 2023 to guidance published by HMRC on 20 December 2022.
ICAEW REP 008-23 Submission to HM Treasury Budget
  • Representation
  • 08 Feb 2023
  • PDF (234kb)
A representation dated 31 January 2023 to HM Treasury ahead of the Spring Budget taking place on 15 March 2023.
ICAEW REP 094-22 House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee Finance Bill Sub Committee enquiry into Finance Bill 2022-23
  • Representation
  • 17 Nov 2022
  • PDF (295kb)
ICAEW’s Tax Faculty provided both oral and written evidence to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee Finance Bill Subcommittee on proposed changes to the R&D tax relief regime.
ICAEW REP 073-22 R&D Tax Relief Reform
  • Representation
  • 16 Sep 2022
  • PDF (171kb)
A response dated 14 September 2022 to a consultation published by HMRC on 20 July 2022.
ICAEW REP 054-22 Potential reforms to UK capital allowances regime
  • Representation
  • 29 Jun 2022
  • PDF (217kb)
Comment submitted on 29 June 2022 to a paper published by HM Treasury on 9 May 2022.

Useful links

Some resources that we link to may pre-date the latest amendments to the relevant tax regulations. While these links contain useful information, please treat them with appropriate caution.
Corporate Intangibles Research and Development Manual: R&D tax relief
  • Website
  • 07 Mar 2018
HMRC internal manual providing R&D rate tables, guidance and information on the treatment of R&D expenditure under SSAP 13, FRS 102, IAS 38 and FRS 105.
Research and Development (R&D) tax relief
  • Website
  • 07 Mar 2018
HMRC guidance on the different types of Corporation Tax relief available for companies that work on R&D, including specific guidance for small or medium-sized enterprises and information on claiming Research and Development Expenditure Credit .
Global Research and Development Incentives Group
  • Website
  • 01 Apr 2017
Guide to R&D tax credits and incentives by country, including a comparison of patent box regimes across fifteen countries and general R&D incentives across 36 countries.
Evaluation of Research and Development Tax Credit
  • Website
  • 18 Mar 2015
Research report produced by HMRC examining the take-up and use of Research and Development tax credits, and assessing their impact on R&D investment in the UK.

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided ‘as is’ with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

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