What counts as R&D?

[Jog On]

What exactly can be claimed as R&D? I've found lots of info saying that we can claim it but nothing with much detail as to what can be claimed for as R&D.

Also with the investment allowance does that mean we can invest in shares/property etc through the business and get tax credits for it?

[timh]

I was trying to figure this out earlier on - and I couldn't find any concrete definition either.

They love their blurry lines, don't they!

It sounds like you might have to prove what you're doing is genuine innovation in the industry - i.e. something novel that hasn't been done before. AND it has to be more of a research project than part of a product development cycle. So maybe if you ended up with a patent and no product to sell you'd have an airtight case.

The hoops, the hoops!

[Bluebird]

perhaps I can give my wifes Ltd Co £500 a month to go and do "research" in Tescos ?

[Denny]

What exactly can be claimed as R&D? I've found lots of info saying that we can claim it but nothing with much detail as to what can be claimed for as R&D.

Also with the investment allowance does that mean we can invest in shares/property etc through the business and get tax credits for it?

Perhaps you could invest a wadge of your profits into researching and developing ways of avoiding IR35 instead of asking questions on here, which is not a tax deductable way of managing your business affairs.

Perhaps you could claim the investment allowance to hire the best lawyers to ensure you stay outside IR35, once you've carried out this R&D.

See? Job done.

[Jog On]

I'll take that as you don't know either then..

This topic is being discussed elsewhere:

http://forums.contractoruk.com/thread15730.html