Targeted Advance Assurance for R&D Tax Relief
Closing Date: –
A voluntary HMRC pilot scheme allowing UK SMEs to get advance confirmation on up to two specific areas of an R&D tax relief claim before submitting it. The aim is to reduce uncertainty and improve confidence in future R&D tax relief claims.
This scheme allows eligible small and medium-sized UK businesses to obtain advance confirmation from HMRC on specific aspects of a future Research and Development (R&D) tax relief claim. It is designed to reduce uncertainty and give companies greater confidence before submitting a claim.
The service is part of a voluntary pilot known as Targeted Advance Assurance, which runs until May 2027 and focuses on clarifying up to two key areas of an R&D project in advance of a claim being made.
Businesses can request HMRC assurance on up to two areas per application, typically including:
- Whether a project qualifies as R&D for tax purposes.
- Whether certain overseas expenditure qualifies for relief.
- Whether contracted R&D work qualifies for relief.
- Whether the company is exempt from the PAYE/NIC cap on R&D claims.
This scheme is particularly useful for growing innovative businesses that want certainty on complex or higher-risk R&D tax positions before committing to a claim, reducing the likelihood of later HMRC enquiries or adjustments.
Key benefits:
- Reduces uncertainty before submitting an R&D tax relief claim.
- Improves confidence in claim validity.
- Helps avoid later HMRC adjustments or enquiries.
- Useful for SMEs with complex or borderline R&D activities.
| Funding body | HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) |
|---|---|
| Maximum value | Discretionary |
| Reference ID | S55601 |
| Category | Business Support |
| Fund or call | Fund |