Engineering

Close the Gap

Engineering’s Missed Opportunity in R&D Credits

The engineering sector plays a vital role in the UK economy, employing around 5.7 million people, which represents over 19% of the total workforce and is estimated to contribute approximately £500 billion annually to the UK’s GDP. Given the sector’s substantial economic impact, it is surprising that only £525 million is claimed in R&D tax relief, accounting for just 2% of the total value of R&D tax credit claims.

Engineering Business

Can my engineering businesses qualify?

If your undertaking development activities that seek to achieve an advance in science or technology, or activities that directly contribute to advances by resolving scientific or technological uncertainty, any business in the engineering sector can claim R&D. This includes:

Aerospace Engineering
Architectural Engineering
Automotive Engineering
Biochemical Engineering
Construction Engineering
Infastructure Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Green Engineering

Geotechnical Engineering
Engineering for hydrology
Engineering for Manufacturing
Marine Technology Engineering
Motorsport Engineering
Engineering relating to materials
Mechanical Engineering
Military Engineering
Petrochemical Engineering
Plant Engineering

Power Engineering
Process Engineering
Railway Engineering
Software Engineering
Structural Engineering
Surveying Engineering
Systems Engineering
Telecoms and Network Engineering
Transportation Engineering

Construction Sectors

Examples of Qualifying Engineering Activities for R&D Tax Relief

Engineering businesses can claim R&D tax relief for a wide range of activities that seek to achieve technological or scientific advancements. Some examples of qualifying activities in claims we have submitted include:

Designing and prototyping a new product or system

with improved performance, functionality, or efficiency.

Process Improvement:

Enhancing existing manufacturing processes to increase efficiency, reduce waste, or improve quality.

Materials Innovation:

Developing new materials with improved properties, such as strength, durability, or weight reduction Experimenting with alternative materials to enhance product performance or reduce costs.

Software Development:

Developing algorithms or control systems to improve automation and process efficiency.

Environmental and Energy Efficiency:

• Designing and implementing systems to reduce energy consumption or emissions.

• Developing renewable energy technologies or improving existing ones.

Compliance and Safety:

• Innovating to meet new regulatory requirements or safety standards.

• Developing systems to improve workplace safety or product compliance.

Scale-Up and Testing:

• Scaling up prototypes to full production while overcoming technical hurdles.

• Conducting extensive testing to ensure that new designs meet performance criteria.

Integration of New Technologies:

• Integrating advanced technologies, such as AI, IoT, or robotics, into existing processes or products.

• Developing new methods for integrating complex systems and ensuring their interoperability.

These activities must involve an element of uncertainty and require a systematic approach to overcome challenges or make advancements. If these criteria are met, they may be eligible for R&D tax relief.

Protect Your Claims

Subsidised/ Subcontracted R&D

Many engineering firms incorrectly claim under the SME scheme when the final deliverable is to a client. If the R&D work formed part of the contract with your client, it’s likely that this activity will be funded directly or subcontracted by a third party, which would mean the project would have to be treated under the large company scheme (old RDEC scheme). This is a complicated area of the legislation to apply and it has resulted in a number of tribunal cases to test how the rules should be applied.

For accounting periods beginning on or after the 1st of April 2024 the new merged scheme (RDEC) will come into play and architecture clients will be prevented in claiming work that is subcontracted to them. Partnering with InnoFund early allows companies to utilise SecureRD™, InnoFund’s proprietary solution is the safest way to protect your future R&D claims, amongst many other benefits, clients can utilise InnoFund’s expertise on how to set up contracts with us reviewing your work to ensure your future R&D claims are secured.

What we do for you

How We’ll Support You

Our R&D tax team specialises in construction, we employ PhD Engineers, Architects, Construction Manager, Surveyors, ex-HMRC inspectors, Chartered Accountants and CEDR accredited mediators to run through your projects with a fine-tooth comb leaving no stone unturned whilst maximising HMRC compliance. We manage your claim proactively, minimising your time investment so that you can focus on core business with the following in scope

Identify the appropriate scheme for your business.

Conduct a comprehensive review of your R&D activity to maximise your claim.

InnoFund take the burden of report writing to free up your time

Prepare a claim that minimises potential HMRC queries.

Unrivalled HMRC dispute resolution headed by the UKs leading R&D Tax compliance expert with accredited mediators in the event of HMRC enquiries

Complete R&D Solutions

Value Added - Beyond R&D Tax

SecureRD™ is the only solution in the UK of it’s kind, as we look to safeguard future opportunities we also can predict future tax benefits, this approach means that our clients can budget more accurately when predicting future tax benefits allowing our construction clients’ to win more business as they can tender work more competitively when considering the true cost of a project with R&D benefits in mind.

Engineering businesses should explore all R&D incentives, from tax credits and grants for upfront design and product development work to Research and Development Allowances (RDA) for capital spend on prototype structures, and patent box for sales or licensing of protected technology. We also help identify other sources of R&D support and plan your R&D strategy, considering available incentives and grants. Our holistic approach ensures continuous support throughout the business lifecycle, not just during the claim preparation

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