R&D - Research and development services

R&D – Research and development services

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Do you invest in innovation? Are you unsure whether your projects qualify for R&D tax relief, or has HMRC raised questions about a claim? We can help you.

Innovation is complex and so is claiming R&D tax relief. With HMRC scrutiny intensifying, companies need claims that are both maximised and defensible. Gravita’s R&D team unites technical expertise with tax insight to deliver submissions built to withstand review and safeguard value.

Gravita provides end-to-end R&D tax relief support, from preparing claims to defending enquiries. Our dual expertise (combining tax specialists and industry technical consultants) ensures every submission is both maximised and defensible. We recognise that R&D is a fast-moving and closely scrutinised area, where time pressures are real and quality cannot be compromised. Our structured process protects value, reduces stress, and delivers claims that are clear and compliant.

What is R&D relief?

R&D tax relief is a UK government incentive that encourages companies to advance science or technology by reducing Corporation Tax liabilities or providing cash credits. To qualify, companies must be tackling scientific or technological challenges where the outcome is genuinely uncertain. These are problems that competent professionals cannot readily resolve using existing knowledge. In many cases, this includes day-to-day problem solving that nonetheless extends knowledge or capability in a field, even when carried out as part of normal operations.
The regime is complex, frequently updated and closely scrutinised by HMRC, which makes choosing the right adviser critical.

R&D consultation

Many companies are unsure whether their projects qualify or worry about the risks of making a claim. Our free consultation provides clarity through a structured review of your activities and past claims. It gives you a high-level eligibility assessment, highlights potential risks and outlines how Gravita can strengthen your position.

R&D advisory

We provide an end-to-end service to identify qualifying activities, gather supporting data, and prepare fully compliant claims. Our team drafts detailed technical case studies and financial schedules in line with the legislation, BEIS Guidelines and HMRC’s CIRD Manual. Every claim undergoes independent internal review, ensuring it is accurate, defensible, and ready for HMRC scrutiny.

R&D dispute resolution

If HMRC challenges a claim, we represent you directly. We begin with a forensic review of the claim and HMRC’s correspondence, identify the areas under scrutiny and prepare clear, evidence-based responses. Our dual expertise (tax specialists working alongside industry technical consultants) enables us to defend both the financial and technical aspects of your submission. We also provide forward-looking advice to reduce future risks and protect your compliance position.

Why choose Gravita?

Specialist knowledge in R&D legislation

Every claim we prepare is grounded in the Corporation Tax Act, HMRC’s CIRD Manual, and the BEIS Guidelines. We understand the complexity of eligibility rules, the merged regime and enhanced support for research-intensive companies. Our compliance-first approach ensures your claim is robust, accurate, and defensible. Our team combines experienced tax specialists with industry technical consultants across software, engineering and other fields. This dual model produces submissions that are not only financially precise but also technically credible which is the level of assurance HMRC expects.

Efficient, cost-effective process

We capture all eligible activities through a clear, step-by-step process that protects against risk while keeping demands on your team light. The outcome is a claim that is maximised, fully evidenced, and ready to withstand scrutiny. We do not stop at submission. We provide forward looking advice, respond to HMRC enquiries and stand behind the claims we prepare, giving you confidence from start to finish.

Flexible scheduling throughout

Whether preparing a new claim, reviewing a previous one or responding to HMRC at short notice, we can move quickly while maintaining accuracy and clarity.

Our experience

We have prepared, reviewed, and defended R&D claims across a wide range of industries, including software, engineering, manufacturing and life sciences. Our clients range from early-stage start-ups to listed corporates and we tailor our approach to the level of assurance each business requires.
Our team has successfully represented clients in HMRC enquiries, preparing clear, evidence-based responses that have safeguarded substantial tax benefits. By combining tax expertise with industry-specific technical insight, we ensure claims withstand review while minimising disruption to business operations.
Beyond individual cases, we have helped clients embed long-term compliance processes, giving them confidence that future claims will be robust, compliant, and aligned with HMRC’s expectations.

Efficient, cost-effective process

Ready to get started?

Let’s talk about what you need and how we can help. We will explain the process, let you know what documents to have ready and give you a clear idea of timings. Our team is here to make the whole process straightforward.
Does your business receive a grant? We also offer grant audits.

Our R&D team

Corporate tax

London

Toby Hermitage

Partner, Tax

What you need to know about R&D relief

R&D claims are linked to accounting periods.

Relief can only be claimed on expenditure incurred within a defined accounting period. This makes clear and timely record-keeping essential, both to capture all eligible costs and to ensure the claim is accurate.
Payment does not equal approval.

When HMRC processes an R&D claim and issues a repayment, this is often done automatically, without a caseworker manually reviewing the detail. Crucially, the claim remains open to challenge within HMRC’s enquiry window, during which HMRC can request further evidence and test the validity of the submission, even after a repayment has been made. Maintaining a robust, well-documented claim is therefore essential.
Past acceptance does not guarantee future approval.

The fact that HMRC has processed a company’s R&D claim in a previous year does not mean subsequent claims will be accepted. Each accounting period is assessed independently, and every claim must be supported by current evidence and a clear justification of eligibility.
Claim Notification Forms may be required.

For accounting periods beginning on or after 1st April 2023, some companies must notify HMRC before claiming R&D relief. A Claim Notification Form is required if it is the company’s first claim, or if the last valid claim was made more than three years before the end of the notification period. An amended claim for an accounting period beginning before 1st April 2023 will not count towards the three-year look-back if HMRC received the amendment on or after 1st April 2023, unless another qualifying claim was made within that three-year window. The deadline is six months after the end of the period of account. Failure to submit on time will make any claim for the period invalid.