--- title: "R&D Tax Credits Cardiff | HLS Accounting" description: "We review your projects, calculate qualifying R&D costs, write the supporting report and submit the claim, handling HMRC queries too." canonical: "https://hlsaccounting.co.uk/services/randd-tax-credits" --- Tax Services - Business # 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. [Book a free consultation](https://calendly.com/hlsaccounting/new-client-meeting) 10+ Years supporting local businesses 27% Maximum claim rate available 100% Free assessment, no obligation ![Scientist and finance professional collaborate at a desk with a chart tablet and blank tax documents in a modern lab-finance office.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fresearch_finance_collaboration_studio_photo.png%3Fv%3D1773064219514&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_DEc4fGhEc1SCRZZutzoEsRuDy1CJ) ## 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. ### Ready to explore your claim? Book a free assessment and we will confirm your eligibility within one working day. [Book a free consultation](https://calendly.com/hlsaccounting/new-client-meeting) ### While you're here - [SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) Advice](/services/seis-seed-enterprise-investment-scheme-advice)→ - [Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) Advice](/services/enterprise-investment-scheme-eis-advice)→ - [Patent Box Tax Relief](/services/patent-box-tax-relief)→ ## You might also benefit from Tax Services - Business ### Tax Relief on Business Assets (AIA) Claim Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) on qualifying equipment, fit-outs and vans. We check eligibility, calculate capital allowances and include the claim in your return. [Tax Relief on Business Assets (AIA)→](/services/tax-relief-on-business-assets-aia) Tax Services - Business ### 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→](/services/hmrc-enquiry-and-investigation-support) Tax Services - Business ### 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→](/services/business-tax-planning) Tax Services - Business ### 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→](/services/corporation-tax-planning) Tax Services - Business ### 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→](/services/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? No. Any UK limited company that develops new products, improves processes or solves technical uncertainties can qualify. We work with businesses in engineering, manufacturing, food production, software, construction and life sciences. How much can I claim back? It depends on your company size, profitability and the scheme you fall under. Relief typically ranges from 16.2% to 27% of your qualifying expenditure. Loss-making companies may receive a cash payment instead of a corporation tax reduction. What costs can I include in my claim? Staff salaries, National Insurance and pensions for employees working on R&D, plus consumables, software, data and cloud costs from April 2023 onwards, and fees paid to UK subcontractors. We will review your records and identify everything that qualifies. How long does the process take? Once we have gathered your project details and cost information, we typically prepare and submit a claim within four to six weeks. HMRC then processes it as part of your company tax return, which can take a few months depending on their workload. What happens if HMRC query my claim? We handle all correspondence with HMRC on your behalf. Our technical and financial reports are prepared to meet HMRC compliance standards, and we will support you through any enquiry process at no extra cost. Can I claim for previous years? Yes. You can submit claims for accounting periods going back up to two years from the end of your current period. If you have been doing R&D work for a while, there may be unclaimed relief waiting. Do you charge upfront fees? No. We work on a no win, no fee basis, so you only pay if your claim is successful. The initial eligibility assessment is completely free with no obligation. ## 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](https://calendly.com/hlsaccounting/new-client-meeting)