R&D Tax Credit specialists in Sevenoaks

Almost certainly. The definition of qualifying R&D is much broader than most people expect — it’s definitely not just scientists in white coats. If your business has worked to resolve a technological or scientific uncertainty — developing a new product, process, or system, or significantly improving an existing one — you may well qualify. We regularly help businesses in engineering, manufacturing, food and drink, software, construction, and many other sectors claim successfully.

For SMEs, R&D tax relief can return up to £21.50 for every £100 of qualifying expenditure for profitable companies, or £18.60 per £100 for loss-making companies. R&D-intensive SMEs (where at least 30% of total expenditure is on qualifying R&D) can access an enhanced credit worth up to £27 per £100 spent. For larger companies using RDEC, the benefit is a 20% credit on qualifying expenditure. The exact figure depends on your situation — we’ll run the numbers with you.

Broadly: staff costs (salaries, employer’s NIC, pension contributions) for those directly engaged in R&D, subcontractor costs, consumables and materials used in the R&D process, software costs, and some utilities. Getting this right — and capturing everything you’re entitled to — is where specialist advice makes a real difference.

Yes — you can generally claim R&D tax relief for the two previous accounting periods (subject to time limits). If you haven’t been claiming, there may be significant retrospective value to recover. We’ll review your prior years as part of an initial assessment.

Absolutely — but the way you claim matters more than ever. Around 1 in 5 R&D claims are now subject to an HMRC enquiry, which is why robust supporting documentation is essential. We’ve been making R&D claims for over two decades and our claims are built to withstand scrutiny. Poorly prepared claims — particularly those from non-specialist advisers or high-volume R&D “mills” — carry real risk. We do it properly.

Don’t panic — but don’t ignore it either. We can manage the entire process: reviewing the original claim, drafting responses to HMRC, collating evidence, and attending any meetings or calls. We work with new clients as well as existing ones on this. The sooner you get specialist help, the better the outcome tends to be.

Yes, though there are interactions to be aware of — grant-funded expenditure generally cannot also be included in an SME R&D claim, though it may be eligible under RDEC. We advise on both and make sure your grant and R&D strategies work together, not against each other. We also help businesses apply for Innovate UK and Horizon Europe funding.

Not at all. We work with innovative businesses across Kent, Surrey, and nationally. If you’re local to Sevenoaks, our office on Suffolk Way is easy to reach and we’re happy to meet in person. For most R&D engagements, we work efficiently remotely — but we always start with a conversation.