R&D Tax Credit Specialists in Glasgow
Glasgow has a long engineering tradition and is now a centre for space technology, photonics and clinical innovation. UK R&D tax relief applies in Scotland exactly as elsewhere in the UK. We match Glasgow businesses, free, with vetted R&D tax specialists who understand engineering and science claims.
How do we help Glasgow companies find an R&D tax specialist?
We help Glasgow companies by matching them, free, with an R&D tax specialist or R&D tax consultant from our panel whose sector experience fits the work. You complete one short form, we check the basics such as your claim notification deadline, and with your consent we introduce up to 3 firms. Panel firms work with clients remotely and visit sites where the technical story needs it, so you are not limited to advisers with an office on your street.
What do Glasgow engineering companies claim for?
Glasgow engineering companies typically claim for designing and testing systems where the technical answer was not known, from small satellite subsystems and photonic components to marine and energy technology. Hardware projects generate claims for engineers' time, prototype materials and testing. Because satellite and space projects often involve international partners, the April 2024 rules on overseas contractors deserve early attention.
Are R&D tax consultants in Glasgow different from specialists?
No. Glasgow firms use both titles for the same work: identifying qualifying projects, measuring costs, writing the technical report and defending the claim. Judge an R&D tax consultant in Glasgow on the same things as any specialist: technical people who understand your field, HMRC registration, insurance and written fees.
Which Glasgow sectors make R&D claims?
Glasgow's R&D clusters include:
- Glasgow City Innovation District (G1, G4): the University of Strathclyde and its Technology and Innovation Centre, with engineering, photonics and energy companies.
- Space and satellites: Glasgow is home to several small satellite builders and space technology firms.
- West End and Gilmorehill (G11, G12): the University of Glasgow and its Advanced Research Centre, with quantum, photonics and life sciences research.
- Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus (G51): clinical and precision medicine innovation.
- City centre and Finnieston (G2, G3): software, games and digital companies.
See our engineering guide and energy and cleantech guide.
Which parts of Glasgow do we cover?
We cover every part of Glasgow. Common postcode districts in enquiries include:
- G1
- G2
- G3
- G4
- G11
- G12
- G51
This page covers the City of Glasgow. Companies across the wider Glasgow city region and the rest of Scotland are matched in the same way.
What should Glasgow companies check before claiming?
- Your accounting period end date, and whether a claim notification form is due within six months of it
- Whether you are an SME and whether ERIS could apply because R&D is 30% or more of total spending
- Any grants received for the same projects
- Whether any contractors or externally provided workers were outside the UK, which since April 2024 usually rules their costs out
- That whoever prepares your claim is registered with HMRC as a tax adviser and puts fees in writing
Read our deadlines guide or how to choose a specialist.
What do Glasgow R&D projects typically look like?
- Space technology: satellite platforms, payloads and ground systems, where miniaturisation and reliability raise genuine engineering uncertainty.
- Photonics and sensing: lasers, imaging and quantum sensing, supported by organisations such as the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics and CENSIS, Scotland's innovation centre for sensing and imaging.
- Engineering and manufacturing: process and product development linked to the University of Strathclyde and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland nearby in Renfrewshire.
- Health and precision medicine: clinical innovation around the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus.
- Software and games: digital products and games technology from city centre teams.
International partners and the April 2024 rules
Glasgow's space and photonics companies often work with overseas partners. Since April 2024, payments to overseas contractors and externally provided workers generally do not qualify unless the work cannot be done in the UK for geographical, environmental, population, or legal or regulatory reasons. Launch services or testing that only exist abroad may meet that test, but cost savings do not. Get advice before counting overseas costs, or use HMRC's targeted advance assurance.
Scottish support alongside R&D relief
Scottish Enterprise grants and Innovate UK funding can sit alongside R&D relief. The claim must account for them correctly. Keep funding agreements and the cost split by project.
Typical cost profile for a Glasgow engineering firm
An engineering firm typically claims engineers' staff costs, prototype materials and components, testing consumables, software and UK contracted testing. Capital test equipment is excluded from R&D relief but may qualify for capital allowances.
Meeting a specialist in Glasgow
Glasgow engineering and space companies often benefit from a site visit so the specialist can see the hardware and test set-up. Software and games companies are usually interviewed by video. Either way, we match on sector first.
Frequently asked questions
Can space hardware with overseas launch partners qualify?
The R&D done by your UK team can qualify. Costs of overseas contractors or workers are usually excluded from April 2024 unless the work cannot be done in the UK for geographical, environmental, legal or regulatory reasons.
Do photonics prototypes qualify?
Prototype materials and engineers' time can qualify where the design involved technological uncertainty.
Is there extra Scottish support for R&D?
Scottish Enterprise and other bodies offer grants. These sit alongside R&D tax relief and must be handled correctly in the claim.
Do Glasgow satellite companies qualify for ERIS?
Many early stage space companies are loss-making and research heavy, so ERIS may apply if they meet the 30% intensity test.
Is Scottish Enterprise funding a problem for our claim?
No, but it must be handled correctly. For periods from April 2024, grants no longer push projects into a lower relief.
Get matched with a vetted R&D tax specialist
Tell us what you do and roughly what you spend on development. We check the basics, then introduce you to a specialist from our panel whose sector experience fits your work.
- Free to use, with no obligation to appoint anyone
- Introductions only to firms that meet our panel criteria
- Fee terms in writing from the firm before you sign anything
- We flag claim deadlines we can see from your answers
Our matching service is free for businesses. Specialist firms on our panel pay us a fee when we introduce a business to them. That fee does not change the price a firm quotes you, and you are never obliged to appoint anyone we introduce.