In an effort to help taxpayers provide good quality information, HMRC has issued a new digital form (link below) for completion in support of R&D Expenditure Credit claims. This follows the earlier SME version and both forms, at this stage, are optional not mandatory.
Whilst in my view the form falls short due to its limited accessibility, companies can helpfully use this to ensure their claims align in terms of content.
Looking at the form, I would make 2 recommendations:
Firstly, when submitting your claims do provide some granularity of costs (staff, EPW, consumables etc.).
Secondly, when documenting technical projects, it is perhaps worth using the following sub-headings (which will be familiar to many):
- Project name
- Total qualifying cost
- Scientific or technical knowledge at the start
- Advance in knowledge
- Uncertainties faced
- Work to overcome uncertainties
For further information or for a copy of the form (you may not be able to access it without logging in to HMRC’s portal) get in touch.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/corporation-tax-research-and-development-tax-relief-for-large-companies#support-claim
