R&D Tax Credits for Startups & Scale-Ups
Turn your startup’s innovation into funding. We handle your R&D tax claim from start to finish, so you get the maximum refund – quickly and compliantly.
Turn R&D spending into cash flow
Every year, UK startups use R&D tax credits to fuel growth without giving up equity. But the process can be complex, and getting it wrong comes with high HMRC stakes.
That’s why we handle everything – from claim preparation to submission – using a simple process and transparent pricing. With hundreds of tech and startup clients, we specialise in making even the most complex claims hassle-free.
- Refunds of up to 33%
- Annual cash injection
- R&D tax expertise
- Simple fee structure
- No refund, no fee
Startup founders ♥ Standard Ledger
Building a startup is hard. Figuring out your finances shouldn’t be. From capital raising to exits, we’ve helped founders make the right moves – faster and with less stress.
“Closing our £2.5m round with Octopus Ventures was a huge milestone for HealsGood AI. Standard Ledger were instrumental throughout the process – helping us stay investor-ready, manage due diligence and present a clear financial story. They brought real structure and focus, which made a complex raise feel controlled and achievable. Having that level of financial leadership on our side gave us the confidence to move fast and negotiate from a position of strength.”
Jack Henderson
“Standard Ledger saved us from trouble during our UK setup. They turned around crucial work in 48 hours, preventing fines. Having the support you can trust, who knows what they’re doing, means less stress and frees up a lot of mental space.”
Peter Cole
“Standard Ledger was incredibly helpful in reviewing and modelling our finances. Thanks to their support, we reshaped our strategy and identified areas for growth. We are now ready for expansion into new sports and markets.”
Iggy Jovanovic
“John and the team have really understood our R&D story from day one, and have always had a plan for it. We’re in the third year of working together now, and it’s been really great.”
Nadun Hennayaka
“We didn’t hesitate to outsource our Company set up to Standard Ledger. Knowing that they’ll let us know what’s needed, where to sign and what to do is a huge weight off our shoulders. Our bank even commented on how well set up our documentation was!”
Gemma Clancy
“Having Standard Ledger manage bookkeeping has freed up a lot of time. It means I spend less time worrying about money and more time thinking about the bigger picture.”
Jock Lawrence
Tax advice at key times - it’s priceless.
Throughout your business journey, professional tax advice could save you a lot of money and hassle. Here are some key times to reach out.
Going global – we can manage your global tax affairs, starting with tax-efficient structuring internationally.
Succession planning and exits – we help with restructuring for sale, IPO or family transfer. We can also work with you to plan for a good retirement and ensure the right assets end up in the right hands, down the track.
Pricing
Starting at £250/hour, with rates ranging up to £350/hour for more complex tax advisory services.
Get in touch to discuss your plans and we’ll give you a fixed-fee proposal. Prices exclude VAT.
Simple fees so you know what to expect
With our startup experience, we can provide fee transparency where others can’t. It’s simply based on your R&D spend.
- £4,000 for £100k spend
- £8,000 for £200k spend
- £12,000 for £300k spend
- £16,000 for £400k spend
- £20,000 for £500k spend
- £24,000 for £600k spend
- £28,000 for £700k spend
- £32,000 for £800k spend
- £36,000 for £900k spend
- POA for £1m+
If you need us to prepare your technical descriptions, we might need to charge an additional fee but don’t worry, we’ll talk it through first.
How it works
1. Eligibility
We’ll sit down to suss this out with you. Your company needs to be eligible and so do the costs you claim. More below.
2. Narrative
We’ll craft the narrative that supports your claim. If you need us to prepare your technical descriptions, we might need to charge extra but we’ll discuss it first.
3. Calculation
We’ll calculate the expenses you can claim (up to 33% of eligible expenditure going back two accounting years).
4. Application
We’ll bring it all together in your application and prepare the tax schedule that needs to be lodged with it. You’ll also choose whether to receive your R&D Tax Credits in cash from HMRC or have it offset your corporation tax.
5. Lodge + Pay
We’ll lodge your claim with HMRC. Then we’ll ask you to pay our fee. Our ‘no refund, no fee’ policy means if we don’t progress to lodging your claim for any reason, there are no fees.
6. Cash Injection
How much you receive depends on your situation. If you’re profitable, expect 24-25% of your eligible expenses to be refunded. If you’re operating at a loss, expect up to 33%. Remember, this is an annual opportunity!
How it works
1. Eligibility
We’ll sit down to suss this out with you. Your company needs to be eligible and so do the costs you claim. More below.
2. Narrative
We’ll craft the narrative that supports your claim. If you need us to prepare your technical descriptions, we might need to charge extra but we’ll discuss it first.
3. Calculation
We’ll calculate the expenses you can claim (up to 33% of eligible expenditure going back two accounting years).
4. Application
We’ll bring it all together in your application and prepare the tax schedule that needs to be lodged with it. You’ll also choose whether to receive your R&D Tax Credits in cash from HMRC or have it offset your corporation tax.
5. Lodge + Pay
We’ll lodge your claim with HMRC. Then we’ll ask you to pay our fee. Our ‘no refund, no fee’ policy means if we don’t progress to lodging your claim for any reason, there are no fees.
6. Cash Injection
How much you receive depends on your situation. If you’re profitable, expect 24-25% of your eligible expenses to be refunded. If you’re operating at a loss, expect up to 33%. Remember, this is an annual opportunity!
Eligibility (just quickly)
You
- Must be a limited company in the UK, subject to Corporation Tax
- Must’ve carried out eligible R&D activities, and spent money on them
Company
- Staff costs incl. agency staff, subcontractors and freelancers
- Software licence costs
- Payments associated with clinical trials
- Consumables (e.g. power and materials used in the R&D process)
These are the main cost areas, broadly speaking.
Forward funding
We work with a number of R&D lenders who forward you up to 80% of your tax credits payout, up to six months before your claim is filed.
That’s six more months to invest, hire and grow.
We align the payouts of your R&D Tax Credits in step with your spending. So you can optimise your cashflow and get ahead of your competition.
Let our expertise maximise your claim. You deserve it.
scale ups
Claim Your R&D Tax Credits Today
Unlock cash to extend your runway and reinvest in what matters – without the headache.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim R&D tax credits if my startup is losing money?
Yes, you can still claim even if you’re running at a loss. Loss-making startups can receive up to 33% of eligible R&D expenses back as a cash refund from HMRC, whilst profitable companies typically get 24-25% back.
How much does it cost to claim R&D tax credits with Standard Ledger?
Fees are based on your R&D spend and start at £4,000 for £100k spend, rising to £36,000 for £900k spend (with pricing on application for £1m+). We operate a ‘no refund, no fee’ policy – if we don’t lodge your claim for any reason, you pay nothing.
What counts as eligible R&D spending for my claim?
Eligible costs include staff salaries (including agency staff, contractors and freelancers), software licence fees, clinical trial payments, and consumables like power and materials used during R&D activities. These are the main areas you can claim back on.
How far back can I claim R&D tax credits?
You can claim R&D tax credits for up to two accounting years back. This means you can recover up to 33% of eligible expenses from previous years that you may have missed.
Can I get my R&D tax credits money faster than waiting for HMRC?
Yes, we work with R&D lenders who can forward you up to 80% of your expected payout up to six months before your claim is even filed. This gives you six extra months to invest, hire staff and grow your business whilst optimising cash flow.