Insight > HMRC statistics > HMRC R&D tax credits statistics 2018
HMRC R&D tax credits statistics 2018 – our commentary
The government is giving more of a boost than ever before to the UK’s most innovative companies, according to the latest statistics. HMRC has provided information on the number of companies claiming research and development (R&D) tax credits and the value of claims for the year 2016-17 so far. There is still time to make a claim, if you think you might qualify contact one of our specialist advisors.
This page is now archived. It is based on HMRC statistics 2018 – released in October 2018.
Key points to show the value of this opportunity to innovative business in the UK
Source HMRC R&D tax credits statistics 2018
Claims since the schemes began
Updates to 2015-16 – compared to previous year
Due to the nature of the scheme, returns for the latest financial year reported (2016-17) can still be submitted past the cut-off date for the publication of these figures. As a result data for 2016-17 is not yet complete. To avoid misleading comparisons between years HMRC have compared the years 2015-16 to 2014-15 in their publication when discussing change between years, and 2016-17 when discussing in-year characteristics.
Claims in the tax year 2016-17 so far
These sectors continued to have the greatest volume of claims, making up a total of 71% of claims and 75% of the total amount claimed
R&D claims are concentrated in companies with a registered office in London, the South East or the East of England 45% of all claims and 60% of the total amount claimed
Regional analysis of number and value of SME R&D tax credit claims, 2016-17
Based on government office region
Firms registered in London
Number of claims
Amount claimed £(m)
Average claim value for SMEs
London
Regional allocation is based on the postcode of the company’s registered address, which might not correspond to where the R&D activity takes place, so caution must be exercised when interpreting these figures. Figures exclude claims where region is not known. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5 and amounts are rounded to the nearest £5m.
Industry sector analysis of number and value of SME R&D tax credit claims, 2016-17
Information & Communication
Manufacturing
Professional, Scientific & Technical
Wholesale & Retail Trade, Repairs
Admin & Support Services
Construction
Other services activities
Financial & Insurance
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Education
Health & Social Work
Transport & Storage
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing
Water, Sewerage and Waste
Accommodation & Food
Real Estate
Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning
Information & Communication
Number of claims
Amount claimed £(m)
Average claim value for
Information & Communication
This coding might not correspond to the industry sector of the R&D activity, so caution must be exercised when interpreting these figures. Figures exclude claims where industry sector is not known. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5 and amounts are rounded to the nearest £5m. Where the number of claims is less than 5, or the value of claims is less than £5m we have excluded that sector from our results. This is the case for the Mining & Quarrying and Public Administration, Defence and Social Services sectors.
To date £21.4bn in tax relief has been claimed through these schemes.
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