If your team solved a technical problem that no off-the-shelf tool, supplier or textbook could, part of what you spent may come back as R&D tax relief. The free check takes about 3 minutes, with no obligation.
Independent guide. Assessment links are referral links to EasyRND. Not tax advice.
30-second self-check
1Is your business a UK limited company (liable to Corporation Tax)?
2In the last 2 years, did you spend money creating or improving a product, process, service or software?
3Did the team hit a technical problem where the answer wasn't known or easy to look up?
4Did you have to test, prototype or try approaches that didn't work first?
5Were staff, subcontractors, software, cloud or materials used on that work?
Answer all 5 to see your result. This is a first filter, not a tax decision.
The official numbers
HMRC's latest statistics show the relief is still large, and more concentrated. Many companies doing qualifying work have stopped claiming, or never started.
R&D tax relief claimed in 2024 to 2025 (provisional), up 5% on the year before
claims, down 17%: fewer companies are claiming
of claims come from Information & Communication, Manufacturing, and Professional, Scientific & Technical firms
of the relief went to SMEs
Source: HMRC, Research and Development Tax Credits Statistics: September 2026 (published 29 Sep 2026). Figures cover 2024 to 2025.
In 83 seconds
R&D doesn't need a lab coat
New algorithms, data pipelines, scaling past known limits, integrations nobody had a documented answer for.
Read moreProcess development, tooling, materials, prototypes and test rigs where the outcome wasn't predictable.
Read moreNew recipes and processes that had to hit shelf life, texture or production targets. Elgood's Brewery is one example.
Read moreCustom tools, automation and technical builds behind the creative work, not the creative work itself.
Read moreReal claims, named companies
Per EasyRND: £100M+ in R&D tax relief secured, 1,100+ UK businesses supported and 2,500+ claims prepared since 2014.
Built Vizzy, a multimedia job-seeker profile platform integrating with major applicant tracking systems. Claimed under ERIS (enhanced R&D intensive support).
“The process is smooth and we've had very positive outcomes.”Chris Woodward-Jones, CEO & Co-founderRead the case study on easyrnd.co.uk
Developed sour beers and flavoured wheat beer variants for new market segments.
“They proactively identified costs and kept me informed throughout the whole process.”Belinda Sutton, Managing DirectorRead the case study on easyrnd.co.uk
Integrated cameras, lighting and robotics with custom software to automate 360° product photography for e-commerce.
“We did not fully appreciate that [we] were undertaking 'R&D' that was eligible for a corporation tax rebate.”Spin Me directorsRead the case study on easyrnd.co.uk
Foundry supplying aerospace and defence: moulding process development, tooling design and finishing process testing.
“They're professional and make everything straightforward.”Keith Bonsor, Managing DirectorRead the case study on easyrnd.co.uk
Case studies, figures and quotes as published by EasyRND (checked September 2026). Every claim is different; these are not typical results or a promise of what you'll get.
Deadlines
Claims can be made up to 2 years after the end of the accounting period. First-time claimers also have to notify HMRC within 6 months, or the claim is invalid. Enter your year end to see yours.
Enter your year-end date to see both deadlines.
Based on GOV.UK guidance: claims can be made up to 2 years after the end of the accounting period, and first-time claimers must notify HMRC within 6 months of the end of the period of account. Dates are indicative; confirm with your adviser.
Illustrative · merged RDEC scheme
20% rate for periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024 (GOV.UK). Loss-making R&D-intensive SMEs may use ERIS.
What could it be worth?
The calculator models the merged RDEC scheme and ERIS from your spend, and flags what could weaken a claim.
Questions
Work that seeks an advance in science or technology by resolving scientific or technological uncertainty: something a competent professional in the field couldn't readily work out. It often happens in software, engineering, manufacturing and food production, not just labs.
For accounting periods starting on or after 1 April 2024, the merged scheme gives a 20% taxable credit on qualifying spend (roughly 15% net for a company paying 25% Corporation Tax). Loss-making R&D-intensive SMEs may get more under ERIS. Try the calculator for your own numbers.
Yes. Claims can be made up to 2 years after the end of the accounting period. If it's your first claim (or your last was more than 3 years ago), you must also send HMRC a claim notification within 6 months of the end of the period, or the claim is invalid.
EasyRND's online check takes about 3 minutes and is free with no obligation. You get an indication of whether you may qualify, an estimate of potential relief and an optional free chat with a specialist.
Fees are agreed directly between your company and EasyRND. Ask them on the specialist call before you commit. We don't set their fees.
An independent guide. We aren't EasyRND. Assessment links are referral links and we may earn a commission if you use their service. Nothing here is tax advice.
Tools and guides
Estimate claim value under the merged scheme and ERIS.
A 30-second first filter based on the GOV.UK definition.
Your claim notification and 2-year claim dates.
Eligibility, qualifying spend, ERIS and the merged scheme.
The evidence HMRC expects before a claim is submitted.
What a good review checks and the red flags to avoid.