Producing or Reviewing Calculations and Computations
Precise calculations are the backbone of any well-prepared R&D tax relief claim. Whether you are applying under the SME R&D scheme or RDEC, the figures must reflect your qualifying expenditure accurately, and they must comply with HMRC R&D guidance. Submitting incorrect or unclear computations can lead to delays, additional questions, or financial penalties.
At My Tax Consultants, we support businesses by producing or reviewing the financial side of their claim. Our work covers everything from qualifying expenditure assessments to final claim summaries. We also identify common issues such as duplication of costs, incorrect treatment of subcontractor fees, and inconsistencies between the technical and financial sections of the claim.
Why R&D Calculations Must Be Precise
R&D tax relief is governed by strict guidelines. Every figure submitted needs to correspond with clear rules set by HMRC. This includes:
- Separation of eligible and non-eligible costs
- Understanding staff apportionment
- Treatment of consumables, software, and utilities
- Correct handling of subcontractor and EPW costs
- Aligning accounting periods with project timelines
Incorrect classifications or misinterpreted guidance can result in HMRC requesting evidence or revisiting past claims. We help you avoid such issues by applying current interpretations of HMRC R&D guidance and making sure your figures are consistent and justified.
What the for Service Includes
We offer support for both claimants preparing calculations from scratch and those seeking a second opinion. Depending on your needs, we can:
- Produce R&D Computations from Raw Data We work with your finance team or accountants to extract relevant cost data. After reviewing payroll, supplier invoices, project timesheets, and other supporting documents, we prepare compliant R&D computations. This ensures every qualifying cost is captured correctly without overclaiming.
- Review and Validate Existing Calculations If you’ve already prepared the figures internally or via a third party, we conduct a detailed review. This covers the structure, eligibility, supporting documentation, and consistency with the technical narrative. Our review often uncovers issues such as missing cost categories, mismatched timelines, or over-reliance on estimates.
- Scheme-Specific Adjustments We review calculations based on the relevant scheme—SME R&D scheme or RDEC—and adjust figures accordingly. For example, RDEC claims require specific treatment for large companies, grant-funded projects, and subcontractor costs.
- Full Claim Summary Once the figures are confirmed, we prepare a claim summary that can be submitted to HMRC, including the final numbers, a breakdown by cost type, and explanations where required.
How This Helps Your Business
Producing accurate R&D tax relief calculations isn’t just about number-crunching. It’s about showing HMRC that your claim is well-structured, fully compliant, and reflective of genuine qualifying R&D activities. Many businesses run into issues because the figures don’t align with the technical explanation or because financial records weren’t organised in the right way.
With our help, you can avoid common pitfalls and have confidence that your claim will withstand scrutiny. We also offer this service to accountants and finance professionals who want additional support on specialist claims.
This is particularly helpful if:
- You are submitting a large or first-time claim
- HMRC has previously raised questions about your claims
- You want to reduce the risk of clawback or rejection
- You work across multiple accounting periods
- You need consistency across multiple years or group companies
Our Approach
We do not use a template approach. Every claim is reviewed individually. Our team takes the time to understand your business model, financial systems, and project documentation before starting. This allows us to produce or check computations that reflect the real position of your business.
We keep up to date with HMRC’s interpretation of the rules, so your claims match current expectations. Our reports are clear, practical, and backed by relevant references where needed.
Work With Us
If you need accurate, reliable calculations to support your R&D tax claims, we’re here to assist. We produce detailed, well-supported computations that comply with HMRC R&D guidance, accurately reflect qualifying R&D activities, and apply the rules of either the SME R&D scheme or RDEC.
We can work independently, alongside your internal team, or in support of your existing accountant or advisor. Either way, our focus is on getting the figures right—first time.
