Do You Need Proactive R&D Tax Credit Support?
Why relying on DIY claims could cost your business more than you think.
Do You Need Proactive R&D Tax Credit Support?
R&D tax credit support is more important than ever. While these incentives offer vital relief for innovative businesses, HMRC’s aggressive new approach means that handling a claim without expert guidance could lead to costly challenges. If your business is developing new products, processes or technologies, you must prepare for more scrutiny, and be ready to defend your claim.
A Cautionary Tale: £400,000 Under Fire
Mojo, a men’s health app founded in 2019, recently found itself in the spotlight. After receiving an R&D tax credit to support its tech development, HMRC wrote to demand the entire amount—over £400,000—be repaid. What followed was a year-long dispute, with the company trapped in a cycle of repetitive requests and rising uncertainty.
Co-founder Xander Gilbert described the experience as “dispiriting.” Mojo had already provided the requested evidence. Yet HMRC kept asking for documents, including timesheets the company didn’t have. Their guidance allows estimates, but in practice, that didn’t seem to count.
This case highlights a growing trend. HMRC isn’t just checking claims—it’s actively trying to claw them back.
Why HMRC Is Getting Tougher
HMRC’s crackdown on fraud and error in the R&D scheme is understandable. However, their tactics increasingly affect genuine, innovative businesses. Companies are now being penalised not for breaking the rules, but for failing to meet documentation standards they weren’t told to follow.
For many businesses, especially in tech and software, traditional record-keeping doesn’t fit their workflow. Agile teams rarely log hours in a way that satisfies HMRC. This mismatch is turning good claims into risky ones.
Even previously approved claims are being reviewed. That means businesses may face repayments for work done years ago – often with little warning.
The Case for Expert R&D Tax Credit Support
This is where professional advice makes the difference. With the right support, businesses can:
- Build claims on a solid, compliant foundation
- Prepare records in a format HMRC expects
- Respond confidently to enquiries or compliance checks
- Avoid the risk of having to repay large sums later
At Riverview Portfolio, we take a proactive approach. That means we don’t just help you file the claim—we help you prepare for what may come next.
Don’t Leave Your Claim to Chance
Too many businesses still treat R&D claims as a formality or outsource them to unregulated advisors. That’s risky. HMRC now looks more closely at the structure of your claim, the wording of your technical explanation, and the strength of your evidence.
If you’ve already made a claim and feel unsure about its robustness—or if you’ve received a letter from HMRC—it’s time to speak to someone who understands the system inside out.
Talk to Riverview Portfolio Today
R&D tax credits remain a powerful tool for innovation-led growth. But the rules have changed, and the risks are higher. With professional, regulated support, you can claim with confidence and protect your business from unnecessary stress.
Need expert R&D tax credit support?
📧 Contact our team today: info@riverviewportfolio.co.uk
