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Last updated: 19 Sep 2023
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Calculating R&D tax credits

R&D tax credits can provide businesses with vital tax relief or cash payments from HMRC. But it’s vital that your business calculates the R&D costs correctly. We share how to calculate your R&D benefit and provide examples below.
What are the two schemes for R&D tax credits?

What are the two schemes for R&D tax credits? 

Under the R&D tax credit scheme, SMEs are classified as having fewer than 500 staff and not more than either €100 million turnover or €86 million on the balance sheet. Profit-making SMEs can use R&D relief to reduce their corporation tax. Loss-making SMEs receive R&D relief in the form of a cash credit. However, R&D-intensive loss-making SME’s which are categorised as companies that spend over 40% of their total business expenditure on R&D, are eligible for a higher rate of relief than non-R&D intensive companies. 

The Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) is primarily for large companies. However, SMEs can claim under the RDEC scheme in specific circumstances, for example, if an SME has been subcontracted by another company or if the project has received any grant funding or subsidy. Companies applying under the RDEC scheme will be eligible for an above-the-line credit.

Speak to our expert

Iain Butler

+44 (0)20 7556 1343
butleri@buzzacott.co.uk
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What are the two schemes for R&D tax credits? 

Under the R&D tax credit scheme, SMEs are classified as having fewer than 500 staff and not more than either €100 million turnover or €86 million on the balance sheet. Profit-making SMEs can use R&D relief to reduce their corporation tax. Loss-making SMEs receive R&D relief in the form of a cash credit. However, R&D-intensive loss-making SME’s which are categorised as companies that spend over 40% of their total business expenditure on R&D, are eligible for a higher rate of relief than non-R&D intensive companies. 

The Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) is primarily for large companies. However, SMEs can claim under the RDEC scheme in specific circumstances, for example, if an SME has been subcontracted by another company or if the project has received any grant funding or subsidy. Companies applying under the RDEC scheme will be eligible for an above-the-line credit.

SME

How to calculate your company's R&D relief?

SME

Your company has fewer than 500 employees and not more than either €100 million turnover or €86 million balance-sheet.

What is your company’s estimated qualifying expenditure on R&D per claim period? 

£100,000

Up to £26,970

Claimants spending £100,000 on R&D expenditure could receive up to £26,970. However, this benefit will vary based on your financial position. If you made a profit, you could receive £21,500 in the form of a tax reduction. However, if your company is loss-making, the benefit could vary from £18,600 up to £26,970, based on your company’s R&D intensity.

£500,000

Up to £134,850

Claimants spending £500,000 on R&D expenditure could receive up to £134,850. However, this benefit will vary based on your financial position. If you made a profit, you could earn £107,500 in the form of a tax reduction. However, if your company is loss-making, the benefit could vary from £93,000 up to £134,850, based on your company’s R&D intensity.

£1,000,000

Up to £269,700

Claimants spending £1,000,000 on R&D expenditure could receive up to £269,700. However, this benefit will vary based on your financial position. If you made a profit, you could receive £215,000 in the form of a tax reduction. However, if your company is loss-making, the benefit could vary from £186,000 up to £269,700, based on your company’s R&D intensity.

SME working on behalf of another company

SME working on behalf of another company

Your company has fewer than 500 employees and not more than either €100 million turnover or €86 million balance-sheet and has either received a subsidy or worked on behalf of another company.

What is your company’s estimated qualifying expenditure on R&D per claim period?

£100,000

Up to £15,00 benefit

Claimants spending £100,000 on R&D expenditure could receive up to £15,000 to either discharge corporate tax liabilities or obtain a cash credit. However, this will depend on the company’s tax liabilities.

£500,000

Up to £75,000 benefit

Claimants spending £500,000 on R&D expenditure could receive up to £75,000 to either discharge corporate tax liabilities or obtain a cash credit. However, this will depend on the company’s tax liabilities.

£1,000,000

Up to £150,000 benefit

Claimants spending £1,000,000 on R&D expenditure could receive up to £150,000 to either discharge corporate tax liabilities or obtain a cash credit. However, this will depend on the company’s tax liabilities.

Large company

Large company

Your company have more than 500 employees and more than either €100 million turnover or €86 million balance-sheet.               

What is your company’s estimated qualifying expenditure on R&D per claim period?

£100,000

Up to £15,00 benefit

Claimants spending £100,000 on R&D expenditure could receive up to £15,000 to either discharge corporate tax liabilities or obtain a cash credit. However, this will depend on the company’s tax liabilities.

£500,000

Up to £75,000 benefit

Claimants spending £500,000 on R&D expenditure could receive up to £75,000 to either discharge corporate tax liabilities or obtain a cash credit. However, this will depend on the company’s tax liabilities.

£1,000,000

Up to £150,000 benefit

Claimants spending £1,000,000 on R&D expenditure could receive up to £150,000 to either discharge corporate tax liabilities or obtain a cash credit. However, this will depend on the company’s tax liabilities.

Claimants will have to be careful about how to calculate this benefit as it is affected by individual tax liability and R&D intensity. Our R&D calculator is not a substitute for professional advice, so get in touch with our R&D experts to receive an accurate estimate.

How we can help

How we can help

Our R&D tax credit specialists can help your business accurately calculate and claim R&D tax relief. We want to help you understand your eligible activities without holding you up, so you know how to build a robust R&D claim. We're here to fully support you with preparing and claiming R&D tax credits.

Get in touch

Get in touch

If you would like to speak to one of our R&D experts to receive a more accurate estimate of your benefit, please get in touch via the form below.

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