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

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.