Latest News & Resources

In this article, we will focus specifically on how aerospace companies can benefit from the Patent Box regime — a powerful incentive for companies developing patented technologies, offering a reduced tax rate on profits derived from these innovations.

HMRC's latest R&D tax credit statistics show a sharp drop in claims, especially from SMEs. It’s clear that while the funding is still valuable, the process has become harder and more perilous to navigate for smaller businesses. Find out what’s driving these changes and the steps management teams can take to keep their claims on track despite the challenges.

Looking for the best way to fund your innovation project from start to finish? Read on to explore the best ways businesses like yours can access the right funding at each stage of an innovation project – from early development to commercialisation.

R&D tax relief is under closer scrutiny than ever before. With HMRC increasing compliance checks, many companies are feeling the pressure. But there's no need to panic—accurate claims backed by solid documentation will stand up to the new standards. In this post, we'll help you ensure your claim is prepared for even the most rigorous review.

Following our guiding principle, "Sharing is Growing," we introduce Haven Products, a company offering innovative outsourcing solutions that can help UK manufacturers tackle the current labour shortage. Discover how their services can enhance efficiency and support growth during a time of increased demand.

Intellectual Property (IP) is often an untapped resource when it comes to tax strategy. Here we explore how UK businesses can rethink how they approach their IP in order to achieve significant tax savings and enhance business value.

In this article, we explore the transformative role of edge computing in IoT development, highlighting its ability to facilitate real-time, autonomous decision-making across various devices.

Last week we analysed the potential impact of HMRC losing a landmark software R&D tax tribunal. Coincidentally, another tribunal ruling was released, relating to a separate software R&D tax case, which HMRC won this time. We explain the key differences and the lessons they provide for future R&D tax relief claims.

HMRC lost a landmark R&D tax tribunal case which has significant implications on the validity of their current enquiry procedure, setting a positive precedent for companies concerned about making an R&D tax credit claim or having their claims unfairly denied. Read on to understand how this ruling could impact your business.

Introducing change in the workplace can be challenging, much like the idea of cycling naked through the streets seems unthinkable—until it's done en masse! We ask Innovation Culture specialist Chris Strong to tell us about what can be done to peel away resistance and create a culture that embraces innovation and growth...

Today, we're asking Visiativ Innovation Funding expert Graham Beck, about an often-overlooked area of R&D: process innovations. While product development typically takes the spotlight, businesses can also claim significant tax relief for innovative improvements to their internal processes. Read on to find out more…

What implications does a new UK Labour government have for R&D and Patent Box tax incentives in the UK? Visiativ takes a deep dive into Labour’s pre-election manifesto analysing the areas of opportunity for innovative business in the country.

Braithwaite R&D Tax Specialists rebrand to Visiativ Ireland - increasing and improving their offering to the Ireland market. Read more here!

The right technology can transform your business, driving innovation, streamlining operations, and improving customer experiences. However, introducing new technology can seem daunting to many companies – where do you begin?

Read on to discover insights for leveraging technology, securing funding, and developing a robust innovation strategy.

Ever considered that R&D tax relief might involve more than just your Technical Staff? We spoke with Doug Reid, Tax Director at Visiativ, about how fostering a collaborative culture could help you gain a fresh perspective on your R&D projects and ensure no qualifying activity is overlooked.

Read on to learn how to get everyone involved in your R&D efforts...

The biotech industry is entering a new era with the success of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. This technology, known for its speed and adaptability, is set to revolutionise personalised medicine and vaccine development, offering new treatments for conditions like cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Ever feel overwhelmed by the details needed to complete your R&D tax relief claims? You're not alone. We sat down with Doug Reid, Tax Director here at Visiativ, to talk about the best way to document your R&D activities.

Read on for Doug’s tips and ensure you maintain robust and compliant R&D documentation that aligns with HMRC's requirements.

The Patent Box is a smart way to obtain tax relief on profits earned from patented inventions. If you're looking to offset the costs of innovation in your business, then keep reading to learn how the Patent Box can make a difference to your financial strategy

You may have noticed recent headlines about HMRC increasing scrutiny on R&D tax claims and the introduction of a new merged R&D tax scheme that may not benefit all companies. This has led some companies to delay their R&D tax relief claims due to concerns about the time and effort required and potential risks.

Here, we look beyond the headlines and focus on the facts instead.

Find out more about the enhanced tax relief that R&D-intensive, loss-making SMEs will receive under the new merged R&D tax relief scheme introduced by the Government on April 1st 2024. Read on...

Visiativ UK have expanded their CAD offering with the acquisition of 3D CAD and data management specialists Solid Apps - click here for more information about what this means for our offering in the U.K.

With every material breakthrough, every design innovation, and every step towards more sustainable manufacturing practices, Additive Manufacturing reaffirms its role as a cornerstone of aerospace engineering and manufacturing.

The biggest shake-up to the R&D tax scheme since its inception is now consecrated in law. The rules governing the single RDEC scheme and the R&D Intensive SME scheme are now set in legislation. Although the new schemes do result in some minor simplifications, these rules also bring about complexities that we advise companies to seek immediate professional advice on. Read on...

Following recent changes both to the R&D tax relief scheme and to Capital Allowances, many companies are confused about which pot to claim from, in order to optimise the tax breaks they can take advantage of. Our Guide to Maximising the Allowances on Offer is worth a read if you undertake R&D

Read our guide for a reminder to secure your claims before the deadline and also to find out more about how to prepare for the upcoming changes in R&D tax incentives.

In recent years, precision fermentation has emerged as a ground-breaking technology with the potential to revolutionise various industries, particularly when it comes to food production. While the prospects are exciting, it is essential to acknowledge the potential and pitfalls of this cutting-edge technology.

The end of the year is a great time for businesses to reflect, plan, and position themselves for success in the upcoming year. Here are five year-end planning tips designed to propel your innovative business forward.

In his Autumn Budget Statement, the Chancellor announced significant updates to UK R&D Tax relief. With the landscape of R&D tax relief undergoing substantial changes, it's crucial that you stay informed and prepared, as these are set to impact how you plan and claim your R&D tax credits.

Geothermal energy production boasts numerous environmental and economic advantages. It produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the cleanest forms of energy available. Moreover, developing geothermal projects can stimulate local economies by creating jobs and attracting investment.

Visiativ UK – one of the UK’s leading innovation funding consultancies – has announced the recent acquisition of MMP Tax, the London based multi-service consultancy helping FTSE 100 and large complex multi-nationals claim technology incentives.

HMRC has published R&D claim statistics for the tax year 2021/2022, covering data on the number of companies claiming R&D tax credits, the top industries making claims, and first-time claims, etc. and we have summarised the key points in our blog. It's important to note that claims for that year can still be submitted after the cut-off date for this HMRC publication. Therefore, the statistics provided are considered 'provisional' and have been adjusted to account for claims that have not yet been received.

Recent adjustments to the submission process for R&D tax relief claims in the UK have caught many companies off guard. And the consequences are significant, with nearly half of all claims submitted since August 8th being declared invalid by HMRC.

Read our detailed R&D Tax Credits Claims checklist to ensure that the claim is able to withstand any scrutiny HMRC might choose to being.

As wildfires continue to ravage the landscapes of Southern Europe, posing unprecedented challenges for firefighters and endangering both lives and ecosystems, innovative solutions are urgently needed. One remarkable approach gaining traction in the scientific community is using sound to extinguish fires. This ground-breaking technique holds the potential to revolutionise firefighting efforts and provide a safer and more efficient means of battling the relentless infernos plaguing the region.

HMRC have published guidance for Large Businesses approaching R&D claims and it contains useful information on project sampling, R&D reports and which technical narratives should be written up in the Additional Information Form.

Can companies leverage the value of their IP even further and claim Patent Box tax relief on the income they make from licensing their patent? The answer is yes! Read on…

Draft legislation published yesterday revealed more details regarding the merger of the current SME scheme and RDEC scheme into a new single scheme for R&D tax relief for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024.

Recent reports indicate a positive manufacturing outlook, but grants and tax credits can help overcome any investment barriers. UK manufacturers are confident and plan to increase investment, leading to improved order books and output. However, concerns remain about the gap between order book growth and output, potential delivery delays, and the shortage of skilled staff.

Scientists have recently created a paint based on a phenomenon called structural colour, which has the potential to revolutionise the way we use colour and paint.

As the 1st August begins to loom large on the horizon, we take a look at the final set of new requirements – the company and contact details. And remember – this applies to ANY R&D claims filed from 1st August this year.

In the recently released Make UK's Q1 Manufacturing Outlook, UK manufacturers demonstrate a vibrant and optimistic outlook with growing confidence and investment intentions, robust order books, and increased output. Nevertheless, there are still avid concerns over manufacturers managing cash flow and ensuring liquidity.

August 1st is getting closer. The changes are significant and all R&D claims, irrespective of which tax year they are for, must meet the new requirements.

As companies strive to meet the growing demand for connectivity and technology-driven solutions, patent landscapes become invaluable tools.

August 1st will see some of the biggest changes in the process of claiming R&D tax credits since the scheme began in 2000. From that date, all R&D claims, irrespective of which tax year they are for, must meet the new requirements - HMRC will reject all incomplete submissions.

In recent years, there have been exciting new developments in male birth control that could be real game changers.

In celebration of World IP day & women in innovation, hear from our Innovation Funding Consultants, who share their thoughts, experiences and insights on women in R&D and innovation.

If you're looking for alternative ways to optimise your tax relief for research and development (R&D), it's worth considering Patent Box as an option.

You may be wondering if you can claim tax relief on capitalised R&D expenditure. The answer is yes, but only in certain circumstances.

Superconductors are a remarkable class of materials that have the potential to revolutionise many areas of science and technology.

Most of the proposals from the Autumn Statement were confirmed in the Spring Budget Statement regarding cloud computing, pre-notification, and the claim submission process. There were however, two key exceptions...