Research & Development (R&D) Tax Relief Services
Investing in innovation can be one of the most valuable decisions a business makes. The UK’s Research & Development (R&D) tax relief schemes are designed to reward businesses developing new products, processes, software or technologies, but identifying qualifying activities and preparing a compliant claim can be complex.
MWA Accounting supports innovative businesses across the UK with R&D tax relief claims, helping them maximise available relief while ensuring claims are accurate, robust and fully compliant with HMRC requirements. We combine technical expertise with practical commercial advice, helping businesses understand whether they qualify before investing time and resources into making a claim.
Our R&D tax relief services are designed to help businesses identify eligible projects, prepare high-quality supporting documentation and navigate the increasingly complex HMRC compliance requirements. We regularly support businesses across sectors including software development, engineering, manufacturing, ecommerce, digital businesses and product development.
Clients work with a dedicated accountant supported by experienced tax professionals and partner oversight where required. Where highly specialist technical expertise is needed, we can also work alongside trusted R&D tax specialists to ensure clients receive the most appropriate advice.
We take a pragmatic approach to R&D tax relief, focusing on genuine innovation and commercially realistic claims rather than high-volume, aggressive claim preparation. Our priority is helping businesses claim with confidence while reducing the risk of future HMRC enquiries.
Beyond R&D Tax Relief…
For many growing businesses, R&D tax relief forms part of a wider financial strategy. Businesses investing heavily in innovation often benefit from broader tax planning, forecasting, management accounts and strategic business advice to support long-term growth.
At MWA Accounting, many R&D clients also work with us on wider advisory services including…
Corporate Tax
- Corporation tax planning and compliance
- Tax-efficient support for limited companies
- Proactive advice for growing businesses
Tax Investigations
- HMRC tax investigation support
- Professional representation and guidance
- Support during compliance enquiries
VAT
- VAT returns and compliance support
- Advice on VAT schemes and planning
- Support for growing UK businesses
Personal Tax
- Personal tax planning and advice
- Self assessment tax return support
- Tax-efficient strategies for individuals
International VAT for E-commerce
- International VAT support for e-commerce
- Amazon, Shopify and online sellers
- Cross-border VAT compliance guidance
Forecasting
- Tax forecasting and financial planning
- Improve cash flow visibility and budgeting
- Better forecasting for business decision-making
Who we work with
Ecommerce
Find Out More
Manufacturing
Find Out More
Startups
Find Out More
Tech Startups & Software Developers
Find Out More
Case Studies
MWA assists £5m turnover business with strategic financial services
"MWA helped a £5m turnover digital download & print-on-demand e-commerce business identify their tax requirements and register for VAT in multiple regions worldwide including across Europe, USA, Australia and Canada, so ensuring global tax compliance and maintaining their ability to trade profitably worldwide. They continue to work with us for all of their accounting compliance needs and day to day bookkeeping alongside using our strategic financial services to support the growth and profitability of their e-commerce business."
MWA resolves HMRC VAT Inspection for ecommerce business
“MWA guided a high turnover e-commerce Ebay seller through a HMRC VAT inspection, which had threatened trading. We identified errors made by their previous advisors and were able to demonstrate this to HMRC who were then able to close the investigation with minimum consequences. Reducing financial penalties to the client by xxxxx%. This is a great example of how curcial it is to use a specialist e-commerce accountant for your VAT and global tax compliance.”
What’s Included in Our R&D Tax Relief Services
Our R&D tax relief services can include:
- Advice on R&D tax relief eligibility
- Identifying qualifying projects and activities
- Support for SME R&D relief and RDEC claims
- Review of existing and previous claims
- Advice where previous claims may have been underclaimed
- Identification of qualifying expenditure
- Staff cost analysis
- Subcontractor cost reviews
- Consumables and software cost assessments
- Preparation of technical project narratives
- Documentation of technological advances and uncertainties
- Preparation and submission of compliant R&D tax relief claims
- Guidance on the latest HMRC compliance requirements
- Support with HMRC enquiries into R&D claims
- Ongoing tax and accounting support
We tailor our R&D tax relief services around each business, whether preparing a first claim, reviewing historic claims or supporting innovative businesses as they continue to invest in research and development.
R&D Tax Relief Advice and HMRC Compliance
R&D tax relief has become an area of increasing HMRC scrutiny, making accurate documentation and robust technical evidence more important than ever. A successful claim is about far more than completing the necessary forms—it requires a clear understanding of the technological challenges faced, the work undertaken and the qualifying expenditure incurred.
We help businesses identify qualifying projects, including many that initially assume they do not carry out research and development. Our team works closely with clients to understand their projects, document technological advances and uncertainties, and prepare claims that accurately reflect the work completed.
We also advise businesses on qualifying costs, including staff, subcontractors, software and consumables, while ensuring claims comply with the latest HMRC guidance and legislative requirements.
By taking a careful, evidence-led approach to R&D tax relief, businesses can claim with greater confidence, reduce the risk of HMRC challenge and ensure they receive the relief they are entitled to while supporting future investment in innovation.
FAQs
Research & Development (R&D) tax relief is a government incentive designed to reward UK businesses that invest in innovation. Eligible businesses may be able to reduce their Corporation Tax liability or, in some cases, receive a payable tax credit for qualifying research and development activities.
Qualifying projects typically involve attempting to achieve an advance in science or technology by resolving technical or scientific uncertainty. This can include developing new products, improving existing processes, creating bespoke software or solving complex engineering or manufacturing challenges.
No. R&D tax relief is available across many sectors. We regularly support businesses in software development, manufacturing, engineering, ecommerce, digital services and product development, but innovative projects can arise in many different industries.
Depending on the project and the applicable scheme, qualifying expenditure may include staff costs, subcontractor costs, software, consumable materials and certain other project-related expenses. We will review your activities and identify the costs that may be eligible.
Yes. If you believe a previous claim may have been underclaimed or incorrectly prepared, we can review it and advise whether additional relief may be available or whether any issues should be addressed.
Yes. HMRC has introduced significant changes to the R&D tax relief regime in recent years, with increased compliance requirements and greater scrutiny of claims. We ensure claims are prepared in line with the latest legislation and HMRC guidance.
Yes. If HMRC opens an enquiry into your R&D tax relief claim, we can represent you throughout the process, prepare supporting information and respond to HMRC’s questions on your behalf.
We take a measured, evidence-based approach. Rather than producing high-volume or overly aggressive claims, we focus on preparing robust submissions supported by appropriate technical evidence, helping reduce the risk of HMRC challenge while ensuring clients claim the relief they are entitled to.
Businesses choose MWA Accounting because we combine technical tax expertise with commercial understanding. We take the time to understand your business, identify genuine qualifying activities and prepare compliant, well-supported claims that give you confidence throughout the process.
"extremely friendly, approachable, and give clear advice. The team are highly efficient and go the extra mile for me and those that work with me. Whenever I have a query Richard is always on the end of the line to assist. I would highly recommend MWA to any other company looking for a reliable accountancy practice..."
Alex, Managing Director, UK Expert Medical
"...inputs and response times are fantastic ... advice has been timely, professional and commercial both in dealings with us and other professional advisers... it’s unusual to find an accountant in practice who speaks in plain English and is so commercially-minded, which is exactly what we have in MWA.”
Andy Scott, Chairman, REL Capital
"...great service from MWA Accounting every time, really pleased we switched across to them and they've really helped us out as a company over the last couple of years, always offering great advice, would certainly recommend."
Josh Ainsley, Managing Director, Ainsley Signs
Contact MWA Accounting
We're flexible let us know what works best for you...