Definition of research and development

Produced by Tolley in association with

Corporation Tax

Guidance

This guidance note provides information on what qualifies as research and development (R&D) tax relief for companies. The Research and development (R&D) relief ― overview guidance note provides an overview of the reliefs.

Research and development definition

The legislation defines research and development (R&D) as activities that fall to be treated as R&D in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice. The accounting definition is included in FRS 102 (or IAS 38 for international GAAP). This definition was modified by guidelines issued by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 5 March 2004 (with updates made subsequently at various stages).

See Guidelines on the Meaning of Research and Development for Tax Purposes for the latest version. See also HMRC’s Guidelines for Compliance which expand on its view of the guidelines on the meaning of R&D for tax purposes and also how to identify qualifying R&D activities. Illustrative example of projects and qualifying activities are also provided.

FRS 102 defines ‘research’ as ‘original and planned investigation undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific

Continue reading the full document

To gain access to additional expert tax guidance, workflow tools, and tax research, register for a free trial of Tolley+™

TAKE A FREE TRIAL NOW

Will Sweeney

Senior R&D Manager, Menzies LLP , Corporate Tax

Will Sweeney is a Senior R&D Manager in the Innovation & R&D team at Menzies where he looks after many of their largest clients. He has extensive experience of helping entrepreneurial clients to optimise their tax position throughout the innovation lifecycle by advising on issues including R&D tax credits, RDEC, Creative Sector reliefs and the Patent Box.In addition to his tax knowledge, Will started his career as an engineer and has worked with numerous technology, manufacturing and property sector clients. He brings a wealth of industry experience to his clients, helping him to understand the specific technical details of work undertaken by clients.Will contributes to TolleyGuidance Corporate module.

Popular Articles

Owner-Managed Businesses

Allowable expenses for property businesses

Allowable expenses for property businessesGeneral itemsMany of the principles applying to allowable expenses for property businesses are similar to those that apply for trading and the rules for individuals in a property business are generally the same as for companies with some exceptions which are

14 Jul 2020 13:26 | Produced by Tolley in association with Rob Durrant-Walker of Crane Dale Tax, part of AMS Group Read more

Tax Returns

Employment Tax

Classes of NIC and who pays them

Classes of NIC and who pays themClass 1 NICClass 1 NIC is payable on earnings paid to an employed worker which derive from, or are treated as deriving from, an employed earner’s employment in the UK. There are two kinds of Class 1 NIC, primary contributions for which the employee is liable and

14 Jul 2020 11:13 | Produced by Tolley in association with Jim Yuill at The Yuill Consultancy Read more

Brexit

Value Added Tax

Exemption ― overview ― items exempt from VAT in the UK

Exemption ― overview ― items exempt from VAT in the UKVAT exemption: list of supplies exempt from UK VATThe goods or services that are exempt from VAT are listed under various group headings within VATA 1994, Sch 9, Pt II.It is important to remember that not all supplies that come within a heading

14 Jul 2020 12:45 | Produced by Tolley Read more

��Ӱ��