R&D Tax Relief – HMRC Investigations

HMRC have issued in excess of 2,000 letters to companies who have previously claimed R&D tax relief. The letters advise the company’s to review their R&D claims as HMRC believe they have been made incorrectly.

The implication is that if the R&D claims are not withdrawn and any tax refunds not repaid to HMRC, then HMRC will undertake investigations. Such investigations may well result in significant penalties being impose don the tax payers.

It is likely that this is only the beginning of a HMRTC clampdown on fraudulent R&D tax claims.