R&D Tax Credits for UK 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
Fixed pricing based on your R&D spend.
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’s fractional CFO services identified KPIs driving operational improvements, making us an attractive acquisition target. Strategic exit planning structured our finances to maximise returns, and negotiating the complexities of the sale process secured us a deal that recognised our full value.”
Peter Neal
“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
“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
How the R&D tax credit process works.
1. Eligibility
We’ll assess whether your company and your costs qualify for R&D Tax Credits. Eligibility applies to both the business and the specific expenditure being claimed – we’ll walk you through exactly what qualifies before we begin.
2. Narrative
We’ll craft the technical narrative that supports your R&D Tax Credit claim, clearly documenting the scientific or technological uncertainties your projects set out to resolve. If your technical descriptions require additional preparation, we’ll agree any extra costs with you upfront.
3. Calculation
We’ll identify and calculate all eligible R&D expenditure – including staff costs, subcontractors, software and consumables. Claims can cover up to 33% of eligible costs, going back across two accounting years.
4. Application
We’ll prepare your R&D Tax Credit application and the supporting tax schedule required by HMRC. At this stage you’ll also decide whether to receive your credit as a cash payment from HMRC or as an offset against your corporation tax liability.
5. Lodge and pay
We’ll lodge your R&D Tax Credit claim directly with HMRC. Our no refund, no fee policy means you only pay once your claim has been successfully submitted – if it doesn’t progress for any reason, there’s no charge.
6. Cash injection or tax offset
Once HMRC processes your claim, profitable companies can expect a refund of 24-25% of eligible R&D expenditure. Loss-making companies may receive up to 33%. As R&D Tax Credits are an annual entitlement, claiming every year ensures you’re not leaving money on the table.
R&D Tax Credit eligibility
Your company
- Must be a UK limited company subject to Corporation Tax
- Must have carried out eligible R&D activities and incurred costs in doing so
Eligible costs
- Staff costs, including agency staff, subcontractors and freelancers
- Software licences used in the R&D process
- Consumables such as power and materials
- Payments associated with clinical trials
These are the main qualifying cost categories – we’ll assess your specific situation as part of the process.
Access your R&D tax credits early
We work with a number of specialist R&D lenders who can forward you up to 80% of your expected tax credits payout – up to six months before your claim is even filed.
That’s six months of additional runway to invest, hire and grow. Rather than waiting on HMRC’s timeline, you can put your R&D Tax Credits to work straight away and keep your cashflow moving in the right direction.
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.