Insight > HMRC statistics > HMRC R&D tax credits statistics 2020
HMRC R&D tax credits statistics 2020 – our commentary
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 2018-19 so far. There is still time to make a claim, if you think you might qualify contact one of our specialist advisors.
Key points to show the value of this opportunity to innovative business in the UK
Source HMRC R&D tax credits statistics 2020
Claims since the schemes began
Updates to 2017-18 – compared to previous year
Due to the nature of the scheme, returns for the latest financial year reported (2018-19) can still be submitted past the cut-off date for the publication of these figures. As a result data for 2018-19 is not yet complete. To avoid misleading comparisons between years HMRC have compared the years 2017-18 to 2016-17 in their publication when discussing change between years, and 2018-19 when discussing in-year characteristics.
Claims in the tax year 2018-19 so far
The Manufacturing, Professional, Scientific and Technical, and Information and Communication sectors continued to have the greatest volume of claims, making up a total of 66% of claims and 71% 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.
To date £33.3bn in tax relief has been claimed through these schemes.
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Regional analysis of number and value of SME R&D tax credit claims, 2018-19
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, 2018-19
Information & Communication
Manufacturing
Professional, Scientific & Technical
Wholesale & Retail Trade, Repairs
Admin & Support Services
Construction
Other services activities
Financial & Insurance
Health & Social Work
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing
Education
Transport & Storage
Accommodation & Food
Water, Sewerage and Waste
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.
