Heads Up! R&D Claims Are Suddenly More Mysterious Than a Clue‑in‑a‑Crystal Ball
78% of accountants are scratching their heads because their clients can’t file R&D tax relief. The culprit? A fresh, snappy rule that forces firms to notify HMRC in advance.
Why the New “Notify‑First” Rule Rocks
- The new regulation requires businesses to give HMRC a heads‑up before claiming.
- Many companies showed up, brains humming, only to find the paperwork was “Not yet ready.”
- Result: Missed deductions, stalled projects, and an RBI‑sized pile of frustration.
What the Numbers Tell Us
- Of all the accountants surveyed by ForrestBrown, over three‑quarters (78%) noted clients struggling with the notification step.
- This isn’t just a drop‑in statistic—it’s a real cost to businesses that are genuinely pushing the envelope on R&D.
So, Where’s the Golden Ticket?
Apparently, it’s a not‑so‑secret process that companies have been missing. The new notification requirement is quick–but if you skip it, you’re basically standing at a road with a broken speed limit sign—no one gets to pass!
One Word of Advice
Save your R&D dreams from the red‑acted cliff by staying on top of HMRC’s new notification protocol. A little head‑start is the difference between “We’ve got this” and “Oops, we missed it.”
More pressure and less time
Accountants Face a “R&D Tax Roadroller” of New Rules
What the Numbers Tell Us
Even though many accountants are putting in the work to keep up with the merged R&D tax relief scheme, a new kind of headache is sweeping across the profession.
Longer Claims, Longer Days
- 80% of accountants admit that preparing a claim now takes more time than it did a year ago.
- Over a third—35%—reports a “significant” increase in the effort required.
- Less than one‑in‑ten accountants have managed to keep the original pace.
Training & Money: The Double‑Edged Sword
- Seventy‑plus percent ( 77% ) say they’ve had to invest in extra training just to catch up on R&D tax changes.
- That added learning curve is pulling at both time and budget, stretching firms like a rubber band.
The Bottom Line
With each rule change, the accounting world feels like it’s spinning on a salad of paperwork and deadlines. If a coffee (or a kettle of broth) can help, let’s hope it does, because accountants are walking on tightrope between deadlines and the ever‑changing regulatory jump rope.
Changing guidelines
R&D Tax Claims: The Accountant’s New Wrestling Match
Accountants are finding themselves in a new battlefield – the technical jungle of R&D tax claims is getting thicker and the path to victory is harder to navigate. The twist? Their processes are being forced to evolve at the same pace.
The Sticky Situations
- 55 % are still wrangling with how to draft the Additional Information Form. The wording feels like a cryptic crossword.
- 64 % struggle to pin down who can actually file under the fresh guidelines that cover contracted‑out R&D. It’s like trying to remember the rules of a game that changes every week.
- More than half – 57 % – say that HMRC inquiries are the biggest pain‑point. Think of it as getting a surprise dentist appointment on a sunny day.
What the Experts Are Saying
Kelly Oakley, Associate Director at ForrestBrown, puts it bluntly:
“Unsurprisingly, the revamp of R&D tax relief is a real hurdle for both accountants and their clients. Building a claim that satisfies HMRC now demands extra legwork, and the new rules add layers of complexity.”
“Because of this, some accountants are rethinking how they give R&D advice – for some, that means partnering with specialists to add extra muscle to their skillset.”
Partnering Up
In the face of this growing maze, many professionals are turning to specialists. Think of it like adding a sparring partner in the gym. The goal: stronger claims, smoother processes, and fewer bumps from HMRC snooping.
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