R&D tax credits for UK agencies
Most agencies doing custom development work qualify for R&D tax credits and don't claim them. We've processed claims from £15k to over £150k for AI, SaaS, performance marketing and digital agencies.
Which agencies typically qualify?
Six agency types where we see consistent qualifying R&D activity. If your team builds custom tech, you're likely sitting on an unclaimed credit.
AI agencies
Custom model training, RAG pipelines, fine-tuning LLMs for specific industries, agent orchestration. Average claim: £40k-£150k+.
SaaS / software agencies
Custom architecture, novel integrations, performance optimisations beyond published benchmarks, bespoke developer tooling.
Performance marketing agencies
Custom attribution platforms, multi-touch reporting builds, API integrations between ad platforms and CRM, bespoke optimisation tools.
Email & lifecycle agencies
Custom Klaviyo flows beyond template configuration, AI-driven subject line testing, deliverability monitoring tools.
Web design / dev agencies
Custom CMS architecture, headless commerce builds, novel integrations between systems with no off-the-shelf connectors.
Crypto / Web3 agencies
Novel smart contract patterns, ZK-proof implementations, custom DAO tooling, bridge security work, MEV-resistance systems.
How our R&D claims process works
Four steps from initial assessment to HMRC payment. Most claims complete in 12-16 weeks total.
Eligibility assessment
30-min call. We review your projects against HMRC's qualifying activity tests. Most agencies have more eligible work than they think.
Project scoping
We identify which specific projects qualify, apportion staff time, and quantify subcontractor and cloud costs. Done in 1-2 weeks.
Claim preparation
Full technical narrative + costing schedule. Built to HMRC's current standards, with proper documentation that holds up under enquiry.
Submission & monitoring
We submit, monitor HMRC processing, and handle any questions. Most claims pay out within 8-12 weeks.
Get a directional estimate first
Use our free R&D Tax Credit Estimator to see roughly what your claim could be worth before talking to us.
Open the calculatorBook a free R&D eligibility check
We review your projects against HMRC's qualifying activity tests. You leave with a clear yes/no and a directional estimate of claim size.
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R&D credit FAQ
Does my agency actually qualify?
More agencies qualify than they think. The test is whether your work involves resolving genuine technical uncertainty, building something where a competent professional couldn't have just looked up the answer. Custom AI work, novel integrations, bespoke automation, performance breakthroughs all typically qualify. Pure configuration of off-the-shelf tools, template customisation and standard implementations do not. We assess for free.
What's the typical claim size for an agency?
Highly variable. AI agencies with 4-8 engineers commonly claim £40k-£150k per year. SaaS agencies and performance marketing agencies building proprietary tooling typically claim £15k-£60k. Smaller agencies doing some custom development work might claim £5k-£20k. The R&D-intensive enhanced rate (27% vs 20%) can lift these significantly.
What changed with the merged scheme in April 2023?
The old SME and RDEC schemes were merged into one above-the-line credit at 20% of qualifying expenditure. R&D-intensive SMEs (where R&D spend is 40%+ of total expenditure) get an enhanced 27% rate. Subcontractor costs are claimable at 65%. The PAYE-NI cap may apply to limit claims for businesses with low payroll relative to claim size.
Do you charge a percentage of the claim?
We offer two options: fixed fee or contingent (percentage of successful claim, capped). Most clients prefer the fixed fee because the total cost is lower for substantive claims, but the contingent option works well for first-time claimants who want no upfront risk. We discuss both on the initial call.
How long does a claim take to process at HMRC?
HMRC's stated processing time is 40 working days for the merged scheme, though it's currently averaging 8-12 weeks. Enquiry rates have risen significantly post-2023 reform, so the quality of your technical narrative and costing schedule matters more than ever. We build claims to current HMRC standards.
Read the R&D library
30+ articles on R&D tax credit eligibility, claim mechanics, agency-specific qualifying activities and HMRC edge cases.
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