Topic
Choosing an adviser
Guidance on finding, assessing and appointing an R&D tax adviser
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Choosing a Specialist R&D Tax Adviser
Choosing an R&D tax adviser arguably matters more now than it ever has. HMRC scrutiny and compliance activity have increased significantly in recent years, while the R&D relief rules have become more complex. The signs that can help distinguish a good adviser are often the ones a claimant cannot easily see. This guide and the other articles in this section look at what those signs are and what they may tell you.
What an R&D tax adviser actually does
An R&D tax adviser starts by understanding your development work, then helps identify which activities may qualify for R&D tax relief. They work with you to determine the relevant expenditure, calculate the claim and document it to HMRC's required standard. A good adviser also supports you if the claim is later questioned. Here is what that involves, and how different adviser models compare.
Read guide →Questions to ask a prospective R&D adviser
A question bank for those early conversations and meetings when you are choosing a suitable R&D adviser, organised by what each question is for, with the answers worth hearing and the answers that should worry you.
Read guide →Warning signs when choosing an R&D tax adviser
Most bad R&D claims are predictable from the way the adviser sells and approaches the claim preparation. Here are the warning signs, and which ones you can check before you speak to anyone.
Read guide →Does it matter where your R&D adviser is based?
R&D claims can be prepared remotely, so adviser location is rarely decisive on its own. But it can matter more than some businesses assume, particularly for practical, site-based work, which is why it is worth weighing up rather than simply waving away.
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