R&D Tax Credits for Digital & Creative Agencies
If your agency builds custom technology, solves technical challenges, or pushes creative boundaries, you may be leaving tens of thousands of pounds unclaimed each year.
Sound familiar?
These are the challenges we hear from agency founders every week.
You assume R&D credits are only for science labs
Many agency founders think R&D tax credits are only for biotech or engineering firms. In reality, digital agencies that develop bespoke software, build complex integrations, or create innovative technical solutions often qualify.
You have been put off by aggressive R&D claim firms
The R&D tax credit market has been tarnished by firms making inflated claims. HMRC is cracking down, and poorly prepared claims now face scrutiny. You need a credible, conservative approach.
You do not know which projects qualify
R&D eligibility is based on technical uncertainty and advancement, not whether something is "innovative" in a marketing sense. Without expert guidance, you either miss valid claims or risk over-claiming.
What's included
Everything you need, handled by accountants who specialise in agencies.
Eligibility assessment
We review your projects to identify which ones genuinely qualify for R&D relief under HMRC's guidelines. We are conservative — we only claim what is defensible.
Technical narrative writing
We work with your technical team to document the technological uncertainties and advancements in language that HMRC expects. This is where most claims succeed or fail.
Cost identification and calculation
We identify all qualifying expenditure — staff costs, subcontractor fees, software, and consumables — and calculate the correct claim amount under the current scheme.
Claim submission and HMRC liaison
We prepare and submit the claim as part of your Corporation Tax return. If HMRC enquires, we handle the correspondence on your behalf.
Frequently asked questions
Common qualifying activities include building bespoke web applications, developing custom CMS or e-commerce platforms, creating complex API integrations, building proprietary tools or algorithms, and overcoming technical challenges that do not have readily available solutions.
It depends on your qualifying expenditure. Under the current merged R&D scheme, profitable companies can claim an enhanced deduction that reduces their Corporation Tax bill. Loss-making companies may be able to claim a cash credit. We calculate the exact figure based on your specific costs.
HMRC has increased scrutiny of R&D claims, particularly from the tech sector. This means it is more important than ever to have a well-prepared claim with strong technical narratives. We take a conservative, evidence-based approach that stands up to enquiry.
Yes. You can amend your Corporation Tax return to include R&D claims for the previous two accounting periods. If you have never claimed before, this can result in a significant one-off benefit.
Ready to get started?
Find out if your agency qualifies — book a free R&D review
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