R&D Tax Relief Just Got More Complex
If you advise SMEs on tax planning, you've likely noticed the landscape shifted in April 2024. The government merged separate R&D schemes and introduced the Enhanced R&D Intensive Support (ERIS) for companies of all sizes claiming eligible development costs as a percentage of payroll.
For many SME owners, this means bigger reliefs—but only if you claim correctly. Mistakes are costly and common. HMRC scrutiny on R&D claims is intensive, and the detail required in contemporaneous documentation has tightened. Missing a single eligibility test or misclassifying a cost can trigger a year-long challenge.
AccountingWeb is now offering an Advanced Certification in R&D Tax Relief, with the first cohort launching in autumn 2026. This signals what many advisers already know: the scheme has moved beyond commodity knowledge. If your team relies on form-filling software alone, you're exposed.
For startups and growth-stage companies especially, R&D relief often represents material cash. Getting it right is the difference between a well-timed reinvestment and a year fighting HMRC. If this is growing client segment for you, upskilling your team is not optional.
See the scheme announcement via AccountingWeb for details on course dates and entry requirements.