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The R&D tax landscape has changed dramatically, with stricter compliance requirements, a merged scheme in force from April 2024, several R&D advisers moving out of the market and HMRC taking a more aggressive stance on challenging claims. Many accountants are unsure how to support clients confidently under the new rules without risking enquiry exposure.

This two-part webinar is designed to give accountants the clarity, tools and confidence they need to manage R&D tax claims effectively in 2025 and beyond. You'll gain practical insights into what HMRC is looking for, how to present robust claims and how to turn R&D advice into a value-adding service line for your practice. Whether you handle claims directly or oversee them for clients, this course will help you avoid the risks and unlock the opportunity.

Across this 2 Part Series, Simon Briton will cover the following:

• Understanding the new merged R&D scheme - what has changed post-April 2024, how the new rules apply in practice and how to navigate common traps including overseas work and the PAYE cap.
• How HMRC reviews claims and why enquiries are increasing - learn what triggers scrutiny, how to identify risky claims and what recent tribunal decisions tell us about HMRC’s expectations.
• Writing compliant narratives that meet HMRC's expectations - how to describe uncertainty, technological advances and competent professionals in a way that stands up to challenge.
• Designing an R&D process that protects your firm - engagement terms, working papers, file documentation and internal review systems that reduce risk and streamline delivery.
• Positioning R&D as a profitable and trusted service line - how to offer R&D support in a way that builds trust with clients, differentiates your firm, and adds real commercial value.

This is a 2-part Webinar Series:

• Part 1 focuses on what’s changed, what HMRC wants and how to protect yourself and your clients. We’ll look at what baseline knowledge and technical uncertainty really mean and how to convey that understanding to HMRC in an effective way. 

• Part 2 focuses on how to construct strong claims, build effective internal systems and use R&D tax as a value-adding service line. Helping clients clearly articulate their R&D in a way HMRC understands can be a time-consuming process. We’ll discuss ways to streamline the process while maintaining the integrity of the claim. 

By attending these 2 webinars, you will:

• Understand how to apply the new R&D tax relief rules with confidence.
• Be able to identify and mitigate common risks in claim preparation.
• Learn how to create robust, enquiry-resistant claim documentation.
• Gain tools to streamline your firm’s R&D delivery.
• Be better equipped to position R&D advice as a valuable part of your service offering to innovation-led businesses.

This 2 Part Series will be of most interest to the following groups: 

• Tax advisers
• General practice accountants
• Partners and managers responsible for corporate tax compliance
• Innovation leads or client relationship managers in accountancy firms
• Any adviser involved in reviewing or submitting R&D tax claims

Course level: Advanced
 Also suitable for intermediate-level accountants looking to deepen their technical understanding and risk management capability