HMRC CIRD Manual Updates (Aug 2025) on R&D Relief: What changed and what to do now
HMRC CIRD Manual Updates on R&D Relief – Aug 2025 HMRC quietly pushed a fresh round of edits across parts of the Corporate Intangibles Research & Development (CIRD) manual at the end of August. Three pages matter for claimants and advisors: the avoidance introduction (CIRD97050), the “examining a claim” introduction (CIRD80520), and the practice note … Continue reading “HMRC CIRD Manual Updates (Aug 2025) on R&D Relief: What changed and what to do now”
Major HMRC Changes for Tax Agents: Education, Registration, and Expert Guidance
Introduction – HMRC Changes for Tax Agents HMRC Changes for Tax Agents HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has recently introduced significant changes in how it works with tax agents – the professional advisers (such as accountants or tax consultants) who handle tax affairs on behalf of clients1. These changes are aimed at raising standards in … Continue reading “Major HMRC Changes for Tax Agents: Education, Registration, and Expert Guidance”
Can I claim R&D Tax Credits for grant-funded projects?
Can I claim R&D Tax Credits for grant-funded projects? The good news is that R&D Tax Credits/Relief can also be claimed on grant funded projects. It is a common misconception to believe that if a company has received a grant it cannot claim R&D Tax Credits/Relief for the same development work, however, it is important … Continue reading “Can I claim R&D Tax Credits for grant-funded projects?”
What do HMRC mean by the term ‘Competent Professional’?
What do HMRC mean by the term ‘Competent Professional’? What is a competent professional? In overview terms, HMRC define compliant R&D for tax purposes as; ‘the seeking of an advancement in science or technology by overcoming scientific or technological uncertainty which is neither publicly available nor readily deducible by a competent professional working in the field’ … Continue reading “What do HMRC mean by the term ‘Competent Professional’?”
Record keeping requirements for claiming R&D Tax Relief
Record keeping requirements for claiming R&D Tax Relief The good news is there are no formal record-keeping requirements when claiming R&D Tax Credits. HMRC acknowledge that all businesses operate in different ways to one another and that the style and transparency of their record-keeping will reflect this. They also accept that businesses claiming for the … Continue reading “Record keeping requirements for claiming R&D Tax Relief”
Which R&D scheme am I entitled to claim under?
Which R&D scheme am I entitled to claim under? Hmmm… two schemes, one far more generous than the other. There’s a catch, right? Not so much a ‘catch. just a few questions that need answering. Firstly, was headcount throughout each claim period above 500? If so, you’ll qualify under RDEC legislation but below this limit, … Continue reading “Which R&D scheme am I entitled to claim under?”