Software Development

BC&A Innovation

R&D Spotlight

Software development is one of the UK’s most active sectors for innovation. Whether you’re building bespoke platforms, tackling complex integrations, or solving performance challenges, there’s a strong chance that your business is carrying out work that could qualify for R&D tax relief.

R&D tax relief is designed to reward businesses that are pushing the boundaries of science or technology by seeking to make tangible improvements to products, processes, or systems. To qualify, your project needs to go beyond routine problem-solving and involve overcoming technical uncertainties that couldn’t be easily resolved by a competent professional in your field. These challenges might include developing something entirely new, significantly improving an existing solution, or applying existing technology in a novel way where the outcome was not guaranteed.

If your development team is engaged in trial and error, prototyping, or testing new methods to solve difficult technical challenges, you could be eligible to claim R&D tax relief on your costs. This includes staff time, software licenses, subcontracted development, and even utilities used in the R&D process.

Here are some common examples of qualifying activities in the software development industry:

Developing New Software Platforms

Creating a brand-new platform, application, or digital product that goes beyond off-the-shelf solutions. This might include customer management systems, SaaS products, or tools that integrate multiple technologies or datasets in a new way.

Overcoming Technical Uncertainty

Tackling challenges where it’s not clear from the outset how to achieve the desired outcome. Examples include building software that works across poorly documented legacy systems, handling massive data loads, or achieving high performance in challenging environments.

Creating Complex Algorithms or Data Processing Solutions

Developing new algorithms or processing engines, especially where performance, accuracy, or scalability is key. This could include machine learning models, data analytics tools, or advanced processing systems.

Improving System Performance at Scale

Enhancing your platform to handle higher volumes of users, transactions, or data without compromising performance. Examples include load balancing, database optimisation, or multi-server scaling solutions.

Integrating Emerging Technologies

Applying technologies like AI, machine learning, blockchain, or advanced API integrations in ways that solve new problems or create unique technical challenges.

Developing Secure Systems and Architecture

Building or improving security measures such as encryption methods, data privacy controls, and secure authentication systems that meet industry-leading standards.

Solving Cross-Platform or Compatibility Challenges

Ensuring your software operates seamlessly across different operating systems, devices, or browsers by solving unique integration or performance issues.

Our Process

What to expect when working with
BC&A Innovation

1. Discovery Call

Book your FREE 15 minute discovery call today to discuss your R&D activity and we'll guide you on best next steps and estimated claim value.

2. Information gathering

Our technical experts and industry specialists will work with you to uncover all areas of work activity eligible under the R&D scheme, ensuring we have everything we need to support a robust, defensible and maximised claim.

3. Create R&D Tax Claim

Our technical experts will write your claim and supporting documents with a clear assessment of your eligible activity and costs, ensuring compliance with the scheme's governance throughout.

4. Approval & Submission

We'll share, for your approval, the claim draft and supporting documentation. We'll explain in detail how we have arrived at our assessment of your claimable activity, costs and claim value. When you're happy, your claim can be submitted as part of your standard end-of-year processes.

5. Liaising with HMRC

Should HMRC require any further information or have queries regarding your claim, we'll liaise with them to ensure speedy payment without any reduction in claim value.

6. Payment

Once your payment is received, we'll send it across the same working day and advise you on processes that can be put in place to make future claims even more hassle-free. Don't worry about claims going forward, we'll be in regular contact to remind you what is needed and when.

About BC&A Innovation

We've helped hundreds of businesses like yours secure millions in Research & Development tax relief

Our team recognises the importance of R&D in advancing UK businesses, big and small, and we understand the time burden, resources and complexities of claiming tax relief for that R&D. These constraints often leave companies failing to get the tax relief they’re entitled to or underclaiming significantly due to unclear, often confusing guidelines about what constitutes R&D. As experts in R&D tax relief, we’re here to unblur the lines and create robust, defensible and maximised claims on your behalf.

We’re experienced tax professionals, accountants and technical experts with a deep understanding of the R&D tax relief regulations. We’ve worked in many of the industries we now serve and are ideally placed to understand your business’ R&D Activities. As part of HMRC’s panel on R&D, we stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the guidance, to provide our clients with the most accurate and up-to-date advice.

At BC&A Innovation we take the burden of claim generation away from the business so you can do what you do best, while we do what we do best. We pride ourselves on our integrity, professionalism and commitment to our clients.

Not sure if you qualify for R&D tax relief? Book a FREE discovery call today.

Many of the businesses we work with were unsure if they qualified for R&D tax relief at first. A few had even been told by other agencies that they could not claim. Yet, with our help they were able to correctly identify eligible R&D projects and claim back vital funds.

As experts in HMRC’s definitions of Research & Development, we’ll be able to tell you if you should make a claim or not. We’re success fee based, which means it isn’t in our interest or yours to take forward claims that won’t pass HMRC’s stringent checks. If we say it’s worth doing, you can take that to the bank.

Ready for a discovery call? Think of it as a no-obligation chat where we can discuss the work you’ve undertaken and identify tax-saving opportunities. Our expert consultants are keen to speak with you.