Comprehensive R&D Services For UK Businesses

Research and Development (R&D) is the driving force behind innovation; it powers innovation by helping businesses take advantage of new opportunities and operate more efficiently. The UK government recognises the importance of R&D by offering generous tax credits to encourage investment in this area. At Apex Accountants, our experienced R&D tax accountant team provides end-to-end support to help businesses maximise their tax relief claims while ensuring full compliance with HMRC requirements. 

With over two decades of experience, we’ve helped businesses across multiple sectors recover significant tax savings that fuel further innovation and growth. Whether you’re a start-up or an established company, we know how to structure claims that deliver measurable financial benefits.

Our Journey So Far

For over 20 years, Apex Accountants has supported UK businesses through every HMRC change in R&D tax relief. From the early SME scheme to the current merged framework, we have helped clients adapt, claim with confidence, and grow stronger.

• 2004–2010 – Guided startups and SMEs through the early years of R&D tax relief.
• 2011–2019 – Expanded services to include larger companies under the RDEC scheme.
• 2020–2023 – Supported hundreds of businesses through Brexit changes and new HMRC compliance checks.
• 2024 onwards – Helping clients transition smoothly into the merged scheme and ERIS support.

This journey reflects our growth from a small advisory firm into a trusted partner for businesses nationwide. Our experience means we know how to turn complex tax rules into clear financial wins.

Our Comprehensive R&D Services 

We offer a comprehensive suite of research and development services carefully designed to guide you through the R&D tax relief UK process. Our team of specialists is committed to ensuring that your claim is accurate and optimised to secure the maximum benefits you are entitled to. From conducting initial eligibility assessments to extending ongoing support, we provide the expertise and personalised attention necessary to efficiently navigate the complexities of R&D tax relief. We want to help you grow your business and get the most tax benefit while you innovate.   

Our comprehensive research and development (R&D) services include: 

R&D Eligibility Assessment 

We investigate your R&D operations closely to see whether they fit for tax reduction. The process includes evaluating the level of technological uncertainty, the advancement of science or technology, and the systematic nature of your project. 

Patent Box Advisory

Reduce your corporation tax on profits earned from patented inventions. Our research and development services help you claim every benefit you’re entitled to—clearly and compliantly.

International R&D Tax Structuring

If you want to grow internationally, we simplify cross-border tax reliefs for better comprehension and assist in arranging your R&D activity for worldwide compliance and efficiency.

Claim Preparation 

Our professionals meticulously prepare your claim for R&D tax relief UK, making sure all qualified expenses—including labour costs, subcontractor fees, supplies, and capital expenditures—are accurately recorded. 

Technical Report Assistance 

Our experts help you create a concise and clear technical report that successfully highlights the creative aspects of your R&D projects, stressing the technological difficulties you encountered, the solutions you sought, and the results you produced.

HMRC Submission and Follow-up 

We handle all aspects of the HMRC submission process, guaranteeing a smooth experience for you. Our team also handles any follow-up correspondence or enquiries requiring additional information.

Ongoing Support 

We keep helping you for years to come, even once your claim is accepted. This service guarantees compliance with the most recent HMRC rules and keeps you up to date with them, as well as helps you spot new R&D opportunities.

R&D Outsourcing for Accountants

Partner firms rely on us for expert handling of R&D claims. While we ensure accuracy, compliance, and confidentiality, they stay focused on their clients.

Our Expert Support for UK R&D Tax Credit Claims 

R&D tax credits are one of the UK government’s most valuable incentives for businesses investing in innovation and development. Whether your company is profit-making or loss-making, claiming R&D tax relief can significantly improve cash flow through reduced corporation tax liabilities or payable cash credits.

At Apex Accountants, our experienced R&D tax credit accountants UK help businesses identify qualifying projects, maximise eligible expenditure, and prepare fully compliant submissions to HMRC. Many companies miss out on valuable relief simply because they are unaware that their projects qualify.

R&D tax relief is not limited to scientific or technology-based industries. Businesses across a wide range of sectors can qualify if they are developing new products, improving systems or processes, or overcoming technical challenges with uncertain outcomes.

Our experienced R&D tax advisors manage the entire process from start to finish, ensuring claims are accurate, well-supported, and submitted efficiently with minimal disruption to your day-to-day operations. By securing the maximum relief available, we help businesses reinvest in growth, innovation, and future opportunities.

How do you qualify for research and development tax credits?

Identifying a Project 

Projects that involve creating something new, improving existing products or processes, or replicating an existing solution where significant technical challenges are faced may qualify for R&D tax credits. If your company has undertaken a project in any of these areas, it could be eligible to claim valuable tax relief.

Overcoming Challenges 

The R&D work must address technical or scientific challenges where the solution wasn’t immediately obvious to a competent professional in the field. Routine improvements or challenges in areas such as marketing or HR do not qualify. 

At Apex Accountants, we help businesses like yours turn innovative projects into financial gain. Our specialists assess your eligibility, prepare your claim, and secure the relief you deserve—without disrupting your day-to-day work.

Could Your Business Claim R&D Tax Credits UK?

Many UK businesses don’t realise that their everyday problem-solving and innovation could qualify for R&D tax relief. If your company has developed new products, improved processes, or created technologies while paying corporation tax, you may be eligible for valuable tax savings or cash benefits.

Regardless of your financial performance, your business could still qualify for relief. At Apex Accountants, our specialist R&D tax credit accountants UK assess your eligibility, prepare fully compliant claims, and help you secure the maximum R&D tax credits available without disrupting your day-to-day operations.

How R&D Tax Relief Benefits Businesses of All Sizes

• Start-ups and SMEs: Relief can provide vital cash injections, giving smaller companies the funds to hire talent, scale operations, and invest in further innovation.
• Mid-sized companies: By reducing corporation tax, R&D credits free up capital for expansion, new product launches, and infrastructure investment.
• Large enterprises: For established firms, claims often run into six or seven figures—significantly boosting cash flow and supporting long-term R&D strategies.

Apex Accountants tailors its approach to your business size, making sure the claim delivers real financial impact, whether you’re a growing SME or a national leader.

Eligible Research and Development Costs

R&D tax credits are designed to give your business real financial rewards. HMRC allows you to claim for a wide range of costs, many of which companies overlook. With Apex Accountants managing your claim, you can turn everyday innovation into valuable cash savings.

Staff Costs
Claim for gross salaries, employer national insurance, pensions, and reimbursed expenses linked to R&D work. Apex Accountants ensures no eligible staff expenses are missed, maximising your return.

Subcontractor Costs
Outsourced work, such as testing or software development, can qualify. Apex Accountants reviews your subcontracting spend and includes all eligible costs to boost your claim.

Externally Provided Workers (EPWs)
Agency workers involved in R&D can be claimed. Apex Accountants makes sure their contribution is clearly documented so your relief is approved without delay.

Software and Cloud Computing
Software tools, data licences, and cloud computing services used directly in R&D can qualify for relief. Since April 2023, a wider range of digital costs has been claimable, including qualifying data and cloud computing expenditure. Apex Accountants makes sure these costs are included where eligible.

Consumables
From raw materials to utilities like light, heat, and water, consumables used in R&D can be claimed. Our team identifies and evidences these costs to increase your benefit.

Clinical Trials
For the pharmaceutical sector, trial costs are eligible. We capture these high-value expenses, making claims stronger and more profitable.

Turn Your Costs into Cashflow
Every pound spent on innovation has the potential to bring money back into your business. Our team not only prepares a compliant claim but also ensures you receive the maximum relief available.

Research and Development (R&D) Tax Relief Schemes

The new framework combines the previous SME and RDEC regimes into a single structure for most businesses, simplifying the claims process while maintaining support for innovation.  The goal is to make claims easier and fairer, while helping eligible companies access support more efficiently. With Apex Accountants guiding you, these changes can help improve cash flow and maximise relief where claims qualify. 

Merged R&D Expenditure Credit (RDEC) Scheme

Now, companies of all sizes can benefit under the merged scheme for accounting periods starting on or after 1 April 2024.

• Most companies (merged RDEC): Receive a 20% taxable above-the-line credit on qualifying R&D expenditure
• Non-R&D-intensive SMEs (claiming losses):  Loss-making R&D-intensive SMEs may instead qualify for ERIS, which gives an additional 86% deduction, producing a total deduction of 186%.

Key points:

• Apply the relief to accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024
• The scheme replaced the separate SME and large-company R&D schemes

Apex Accountants makes sure your claim fully captures every qualifying cost and applies the correct rate for your company type, turning complex rules into real financial returns.

R&D Intensity Condition

To qualify, eligible R&D expenditure must equal at least 30% of your total costs. Many businesses fall into this category without realising it. We review your accounts, identify qualifying spend, and ensure your claim is strong and compliant.

Enhanced R&D Intensive Support (ERIS)

ERIS is designed for loss-making, R&D-intensive SMEs. It offers:

• An extra 86% deduction on top of the standard 100%.
• A payable credit of up to 14.5% of the surrenderable loss.
• The relief is designed to support loss-making, R&D-intensive SMEs and can improve cash flow. 

Apex Accountants specialises in helping SMEs unlock ERIS claims, securing the funding needed to reinvest in growth.

Why This Matters to Your Business

The old SME and RDEC schemes have been replaced by one streamlined structure. While this reduces complexity, it also narrows eligibility in certain areas—particularly subcontracted or overseas projects. That’s why expert support matters.

With Apex Accountants’ expert r&d tax relief support, you don’t just file a claim—you gain guidance that helps shape your costs in a way that delivers the strongest possible benefit.

Understanding the New R&D Tax Relief Scheme

From 1 April 2024, the UK government introduced a new R&D tax relief framework by merging the previous SME and RDEC schemes for most companies. The changes were designed to simplify the claims process while continuing to support innovation and business growth.

Under the new rules, eligible companies can claim relief through the merged R&D Expenditure Credit (RDEC) scheme, while qualifying loss-making R&D-intensive SMEs may benefit from Enhanced R&D Intensive Support (ERIS). The value of a claim now depends on factors such as qualifying expenditure, company profitability, R&D intensity, and the nature of the activities undertaken.

The updated rules also include specific requirements around subcontracted work and overseas R&D activities, making it more important than ever to ensure claims are prepared accurately and supported by robust documentation.

At Apex Accountants, we help businesses navigate the latest R&D tax relief regulations, identify all qualifying costs, and maximise available relief while maintaining full compliance with HMRC requirements.

What this means for your business

The new scheme rewards innovation, but it also places tighter restrictions on how claims are made. Many SMEs risk losing out on valuable relief without the right support. Apex Accountants works with startups, SMEs, and large companies to identify qualifying activities, maximise claims, and secure vital funding to fuel future growth.

Unlock the Value of R&D Tax Incentives

SME R&D Scheme

If you’re a small or medium-sized company investing in innovation, the SME scheme offered valuable relief for accounting periods starting before 1 April 2024. 

• Profitable businesses can secure a benefit of around 21.5p for every £1 spent on qualifying R&D.
• Loss-making companies can exchange losses for a cash credit of up to 18.6p per £1.
• For R&D-intensive firms, additional support may be available under specific HMRC rules depending on the accounting period and eligibility criteria. 

This scheme not only reduces tax but also injects cash back into businesses pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation.

R&D Expenditure Credit (RDEC)

Businesses that do not qualify for specialist SME support can still access relief through the main R&D tax credit framework, which can reduce tax liabilities and improve cash flow. 

Why Act Now?

Whether your business qualifies under the SME scheme or RDEC, both deliver real financial rewards. With Apex Accountants’ expert R&D services, your claims are handled quickly, accurately, and with maximum benefit. We identify every qualifying cost and guide you through the process with minimal effort on your part.

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Sectors Eligible for R&D Tax Credits

A useful incentive – R&D tax relief in the UK – is available to companies in many different sectors. However, other sectors tend to submit significantly more claims due to their inherent focus on innovation and technological development. Here is a list of some of the major industries that typically benefit from R&D tax credits: 

1. Manufacturing 

The manufacturing sector is one of the largest beneficiaries of R&D tax relief, with claims often running into the hundreds of millions each year depending on the tax year and scheme. Typical qualifying activities include: 

• Using computer-aided design (CAD) for product development
• Making timely enhancements to meet regulatory requirements 
• Modelling streamlined innovations in production techniques 

Our experts have guided manufacturers in claiming relief for redesigning machinery components and adopting cleaner, more efficient production methods.

2. Information and Communication 

Information and communication is a significant contributor to R&D tax credit claims, with thousands of claims and substantial relief amounts recorded each year depending on the tax year and scheme. Typical qualifying activities include: 

• Creating new IT solutions or software. 
• Driving innovation in security and data management. 
• Making advancements in communication technologies 

Apex Accountants has helped IT firms recover costs for developing cybersecurity platforms and building new data-driven communication tools.

3. Healthcare 

The healthcare industry is a top candidate for R&D tax relief given its main emphasis on enhancing treatments and medical technologies. Other qualifying activities in the medical field might entail: 

• Creating new medical tools or drugs 
• Running experiments and evaluating novel therapeutic approaches 
• Implementing software solutions for healthcare management

We have supported healthcare providers in securing relief for projects ranging from diagnostic software to clinical trials for new medical devices.

4. Software Development 

Driven by a never-ending quest for novelty and invention, the software sector generates major R&D activity. Qualifying projects related to the software industry consist of: 

• Designing innovative platforms or software applications 
• Improving current program capacity 
• Creating analytical and data processing algorithms  

Apex Accountants has worked with software companies to claim credits for developing bespoke applications and enhancing machine-learning algorithms for commercial use.

5. Oil and Gas 

To explore and enhance its areas of expansion, the oil and gas industry spends significantly on R&D. Refining extraction processes and exploring alternative energy sources are just two examples of these improvements. Qualifying activities within the sector include: 

• Researching alternative energy sources 
• Developing new drilling techniques 
• Enhancing environmental safety measures 

We have managed claims for oil and gas businesses introducing advanced drilling methods and investing in renewable energy projects.

6. Agriculture 

While it is less prominent than other sectors, the agriculture sector still presents noteworthy opportunities to qualify for R&D tax relief. Projects qualifying under the sector might include: 

• Creating unique farming tools or approaches 

• Exploring crop improvement methods
• Introducing innovations in sustainable farming practices 

Our team has supported agricultural firms in claiming relief for precision-farming tools and eco-friendly crop protection methods.

7. Administrative and Support Services 

R&D tax credits also help the administrative and support services sector, especially in terms of improving its operational efficiency and raising its capacity for innovation. Qualifying activities within the sector include:

• Developing cloud-based services and software 

• Bringing variation in process automation and efficiency 
• Personalising customer interactions

We have helped service providers secure relief for automating customer support systems and developing AI-driven process improvements.

Beyond these sectors, we have successfully managed claims across retail, logistics, financial services, and more—demonstrating our versatility in handling diverse business needs.

While these notable sectors are particularly active in claiming R&D tax credits, businesses from various other industries can qualify as well. If your company engages in research and development activities that aim to create new or improved products, processes, or services, you may be eligible. 

Contact Apex Accountants today to find out whether your business qualifies for available tax relief opportunities. With our expert R&D tax relief support, we assess your eligibility, identify qualifying activities, and guide you through the entire claims process to help maximise your financial benefits. 

The Advantage of Working with Our R&D Tax Accountant Team 

At Apex Accountants, our prime focus is to provide practical solutions for claiming R&D tax relief that fit the particular objectives and problems of your company. Our team of R&D tax consultants provides you with services that are both precise and thorough. Our consultants possess great industry knowledge and a strong awareness of HMRC rules. Whether you are a startup or an established company, our approach is designed to maximise your tax relief while ensuring compliance and value for your investment. 

Comprehensive Guidance

From identifying qualifying expenses to submitting your claim, we provide full support to help you maximise the tax benefits available. Our advisors simplify complex R&D tax rules and ensure every detail is correctly accounted for.

HMRC Compliance and Investigation Support

We stay up to date with the latest HMRC regulations to ensure your claim is fully compliant and reduce the risk of audits. For businesses facing HMRC enquiries or investigations, our R&D tax advisors review records, prepare responses, and communicate directly with HMRC. Whether it’s a routine inspection or a detailed audit, we help you stay compliant, minimise risks, and avoid penalties.

Cost-Effective Services

Our R&D tax services deliver excellent value, combining affordability with professional expertise. You receive high-quality support without compromising on accuracy or compliance.

R&D Tax Consultation

Through our personalised consultations, we assess your eligibility, identify qualifying projects and costs, and prepare your claim according to the latest HMRC guidance. Whether you are a start-up or an established company, we provide practical advice and full support—saving you time and improving your chances of a successful claim.

Let Apex Accountants Help You Maximise Your R&D Tax Relief 

Boost your company’s cash flow with valuable R&D tax savings. Contact Apex Accountants today to book a consultation and see how our experienced R&D tax consultants can support your innovation journey. We manage the entire claims process with precision, ensuring you receive the maximum benefit while remaining fully compliant with HMRC requirements. Start your claim today and turn innovation into lasting financial growth.