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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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Exclusive
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

Community amateur sports clubs asked to check their status
  • Article
  • 05 Apr 2024
HMRC is writing to community amateur sports clubs and asking them to check if they are still eligible to stay within the scheme.
New HMRC guidance on R&D tax relief
  • Article
  • 05 Apr 2024
HMRC has published additional and updated guidance on the new regime for R&D tax relief. The new regime is discussed in the Tax Faculty’s latest podcast.
Tax news in brief 3 April 2024
  • Article
  • 03 Apr 2024
Highlights from the broader tax news for the week ending 3 April 2024, including a webinar on R&D tax relief from HMRC and updated HMRC guidance on when it will contact taxpayers.
HMRC stops paper notifications for tax repayments
  • Article
  • 28 Mar 2024
A taxpayer receiving a repayment of corporation tax or income tax self assessment will no longer receive a letter notifying them of the repayment.
R&D tax relief: what you need to know
  • Article
  • 27 Mar 2024
Research and development tax relief is a key government incentive encouraging much-needed investment. Making a claim requires thought and planning, an understanding of the common pitfalls and possibly external support, too.
ICAEW reminds employers of minimum wage increases
  • Article
  • 26 Mar 2024
The rates of the minimum wage will increase from 1 April 2024, and the national living wage is extended to younger employees.
HMRC’s VAT online service for agents to be decommissioned
  • Article
  • 26 Mar 2024
Agents should use their agent services account to manage the VAT affairs of all clients going forward.
ICAEW technical updates: March 2024
  • Article
  • 26 Mar 2024
This month’s top stories include Spring Budget announcements, HMRC halting the decision to restrict helplines, and more guidance on the lifetime allowance abolition.
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Practical guidance

ICAEW's Tax Faculty provides practical support on technical areas of tax.
Exclusive TAXguide 07/23: Making R&D claims – what information must be submitted and when?
  • Technical release
  • 03 Oct 2023
Two new forms are required when making claims for research and development (R&D) tax relief. While the additional information form is required for all R&D claims, advance notification will also be required for some.
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 around 80 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 Corporate tax reliefs for intellectual property
  • eBook chapter
  • 2024
  • Anne Fairpo, Mark McLaughlin, Maria Kitt
  • Tax Planning
A chapter on corporate tax reliefs for intellectual property, highlighting tax planning opportunities and potential pitfalls.
Exclusive Research and development
  • eBook chapter
  • 2024
  • Satwaki Chanda, Steve Collings, Jacquelyn Kimber, Maria Kitt, David O'Keefe, Andrew Parkes
  • Corporation Tax
Practical guidance on tax reliefs related to research and development within the UK business tax regime.
Exclusive Research and development tax reliefs
  • eBook
  • 2023
  • Maria Kitt
  • Research and Development Tax Reliefs
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
  • 2023
  • Maria Kitt
  • Research and Development Tax Reliefs
A chapter on claiming research and development tax relief for UK SMEs, providing easy to follow guidance.
Exclusive Research and development, patents and know-how
  • eBook chapter
  • 2023
  • Steven Bone, Martin Wilson
  • Capital Allowances - Transactions and Planning
A chapter on capital allowances for expenditure on research and development, patents and know-how.
Exclusive Capital allowances: transactions and planning 2023/24
  • eBook
  • 2023
  • Steven Bone, Martin Wilson
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.

Articles and books in the ICAEW Library collection

The collection of the ICAEW Library & Information Service includes a range of articles, books and reports on research and development tax reliefs. A selection of books on this topic is set out below.
Research and development: with Patent Box
  • Library book
  • 2023
  • G. Collins, C. Ridley
  • Claritax Books
This book offers valuable insights into the UK's special tax rules for research and development (R&D) expenditure. It reveals the scope of the relief available and provides guidance on meeting the statutory conditions for successful claims.
Research and development tax relief
  • Library book
  • 2022
  • J. Tragner
  • LexisNexis
A Tax Digest examining the background to R&D tax relief, the future of tax relief, and the R&D tax advice market.

To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to borrowing books.

You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports through our document supply service.

Representations

ICAEW REP 023-24 R&D tax reliefs guidance on contracting out and overseas restrictions
  • Representation
  • 04 Mar 2024
  • PDF (456kb)
A representation dated 29 February 2024 to a consultation published by HMRC on 9 February 2024.
ICAEW REP 003-24 Finance Bill 2023-24 - Clause 2 and Schedule 1: New regime for research and development carried out by companies
  • Representation
  • 09 Jan 2024
  • PDF (175kb)
A briefing for MPs on the Finance Bill by ICAEW Tax Faculty.
ICAEW REP 100-23 Draft Finance Bill 2023-24
  • Representation
  • 21 Nov 2023
  • PDF (251kb)
ICAEW welcomes the opportunity to provide evidence on the Draft Finance Bill 2023-24 to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub-Committee.
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.

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 .
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.

Further resources

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TAXconnect

Search for a consultant to help you with a specific technical tax problem. TAXconnect works on a telephone ‘hotline’ system, whereby consultants offer advice to Tax Faculty members on tax problems for a nominal fee.

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