R&D Tax Credit Calculator for UK Companies
This calculator estimates your R&D tax benefit using HMRC headline rates for the merged scheme, ERIS and the legacy SME and RDEC schemes. Enter your period, size, tax position and spend. It gives a starting point only; a specialist will confirm the real figure after reviewing your projects and costs.
R&D tax relief estimator
A rough guide using HMRC headline rates. A specialist will confirm the real figure.
- Likely scheme
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- Benefit rate
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- R&D intensity
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- Basis
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Ignores the PAYE and NIC cap on payable credits, connected companies and subsidised work. Not tax advice.
Check this with a specialistWhat rates does the calculator use?
| Situation | Scheme | Benefit per £1 |
|---|---|---|
| Period from 1 April 2024, profitable at 25% | Merged | 15p |
| Period from 1 April 2024, marginal relief band | Merged | 14.7p |
| Period from 1 April 2024, small profits rate or loss-making | Merged | 16.2p |
| Period from 1 April 2024, loss-making SME, intensity 30% or more | ERIS | 26.97p |
| Period from 1 April 2023, loss-making SME | Legacy SME | 18.6p, or 26.97p if 40% intensive |
| Period from 1 April 2023, profitable SME at 25% | Legacy SME | 21.5p |
What does the calculator leave out?
The calculator leaves out the PAYE and NIC cap on payable credits, connected company effects on intensity and SME status, contractor and EPW restrictions, and the choice between surrendering and carrying forward losses. A specialist will cover each.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the calculator?
It applies headline rates correctly, but real claims depend on which costs qualify, connected companies, the PAYE cap and how losses are used. Treat it as a guide.
Why is the merged scheme rate less than 20%?
Because the credit is taxable. At a 25% tax rate you keep 15p of each 20p.
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.