“Aren’t R&D tax credits only for businesses using test tubes and wearing lab coats?”

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I have been asked that exact question more times than I care to remember so it’s no surprise that only a small proportion of businesses that can claim tax relief actually submit a claim to HMRC.

The truth is the majority of manufacturing businesses regularly inject some element of research and development into their operations. When you take time to understand a business’ operations and ask the appropriate questions, research and development processes that aren’t immediately apparent can often be discovered.

But R&D (Research and Development) tax relief is clearly not just limited to manufacturing. By taking a genuine interest in how our clients' businesses operate we have uncovered R&D processes in somewhat less than obvious places:

  1. Pig farming - researching new pig genetics and how they work on UK phenotypes
  2. Brewery - the rise in the popularity of micro breweries and new beers means than many of these are involving complex scientific advances
  3. Marketing agency - as the UK economy is digitalised marketing agencies have to be at the forefront on digital technology to take advantage of new opportunities
  4. Logistics - new technologies to more efficiently move products around the country
  5. Telecommunications - advanced telecommunications technology to take advantage of digitalisation
  6. Baby accessories - new designs innovative with advanced technology to ensure better child safety
  7. Horticulture - improved science to produce better natural plants, that grow quicker, look better an live longer

I trust this proves categorically that lab coats and test tubes are not a pre-request for a successful R&D tax credits claim! As advisers we have a genuine interest in our clients' businesses and that’s given us the experience and expertise required to identify R&D processes in even the most unusual places.  The key message is throw away any preconceptions.

If you think you may have grounds to claim R&D tax relief then please contact me today on  07786 158687 or email james.lockhart@armstrongwatson.co.uk.  I can explain the next steps to finding out if you could be using your own research and development efforts to reduce your business’ tax bill.


If you have any questions for Jim or the Manufacturing team, please get in touch or visit our website for information on the services we provide to our manufacturing clients.

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