R&D Tax Credits
We help Cardiff and South Wales businesses claim back up to 27% of what they spend on innovation. If you're a limited company developing new products, improving processes or solving technical challenges, you could be eligible for R&D tax relief and we will make sure you get every penny you are entitled to.
R&D claims we handle
From initial eligibility checks through to HMRC submission and compliance, we manage the entire R&D tax credit process for businesses across South Wales.
Eligibility Assessment
Free review of your projects to confirm whether your work qualifies for R&D relief under HMRC rules.
Technical Report Preparation
Detailed documentation of your qualifying projects, costs and innovation activities to support your claim.
HMRC Submission & Compliance
Full claim submission via your company tax return with ongoing support if HMRC raise enquiries.
How R&D tax credits work for your business
R&D tax credits are a government incentive designed to reward UK limited companies that invest in innovation. If you are developing new products, improving existing processes or solving technical uncertainties, you could claim back a significant portion of your costs as either a corporation tax reduction or a cash payment. Many Cardiff businesses, from software developers to engineering firms and life sciences companies, qualify without realising it.
You do not need a lab coat to qualify. If you are solving technical problems, you might already be doing R&D.
The process starts with a free eligibility assessment. We will talk through your recent projects, identify which activities qualify and review your costs, including staff salaries, software, consumables and subcontractor fees. Once we confirm eligibility, we prepare a technical and financial report that explains your innovation work in language HMRC understands. We then submit the claim through your company tax return and handle any follow-up questions.
More information
What counts as qualifying expenditure
You can claim relief on staff costs such as salaries, National Insurance and pension contributions for employees working on R&D projects. Consumables used up during development, software licences, data and cloud computing costs incurred after April 2023, and fees paid to UK subcontractors also qualify. The rules around subcontractors have tightened in recent years, so it is important to get the detail right.
The scheme you use and the relief you receive depend on your company size, profitability and accounting period. Smaller companies can claim under the SME scheme or the newer merged scheme introduced in April 2024, with rates typically ranging from 16.2% to 27% of qualifying spend. If your company is loss-making, you may receive a cash credit instead of a corporation tax reduction, which can be invaluable for funding further innovation.
Supporting innovation across South Wales
Cardiff has become one of the UK's fastest-growing tech hubs, with over 21,000 people now working in digital technology across the city and wider region. Whether you are based in the city centre, the Bay, or further out in the Valleys, we work with businesses at all stages of growth to make sure they benefit from the tax relief they are entitled to. R&D claims are not just for large corporates. Many of our clients are small, ambitious companies doing genuinely innovative work.
We operate on a no win, no fee basis, so there is no financial risk in exploring whether you qualify. Once a claim is submitted, we stay with you through the compliance process, reviewing your documentation and supporting you if HMRC open an enquiry. Our job is to take the complexity out of the process and give you the confidence that your claim is accurate, compliant and maximises your entitlement.
You might also benefit from
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Tax Relief on Business Assets (AIA)→HMRC Enquiry & Investigation Support
Support with HMRC enquiries and investigations, from the first letter to the final outcome. We organise records, manage deadlines, and deal with HMRC on your behalf.
HMRC Enquiry & Investigation Support→Business Tax Planning
Plan ahead for Corporation Tax or Self Assessment, forecast what you will owe, and use allowances, expenses and profit extraction sensibly.
Business Tax Planning→Corporation Tax Planning
Get a clear estimate of your company’s corporation tax, plan director pay and spending, and avoid nasty surprises at year end with practical, plain-English advice.
Corporation Tax Planning→Corporation Tax Returns
CT600 and iXBRL preparation and filing for limited companies, with clear tax calculations, allowance checks, and deadline tracking so you stay compliant and avoid surprises.
Corporation Tax Returns→Before you start a claim
Here are the most common questions we hear from businesses considering an R&D tax credit claim.
Do I need to be a tech company to claim R&D tax credits?
How much can I claim back?
What costs can I include in my claim?
How long does the process take?
What happens if HMRC query my claim?
Can I claim for previous years?
Do you charge upfront fees?
Let's talk about your R&D claim
Book a free consultation and we will assess your eligibility, explain the process and confirm what you could claim back.
Book a free consultation