Knowledge bank
How the schemes work
Merged scheme, ERIS, and which one your accounting period lands in.
4 answers
- How is an R&D tax relief claim calculated? Essential read Add up qualifying expenditure, apply the rate for the scheme, then work through what the relief actually pays out — which is where the figure moves.
- What is enhanced R&D intensive support (ERIS)? Essential read The alternative to the merged scheme for loss-making SMEs whose R&D is at least 30% of total expenditure. Worth 26.97% of qualifying spend in cash, against 16.2% under the merged scheme.
- What is the merged R&D expenditure credit scheme? Essential read One scheme for almost every claimant in accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024: a taxable 20% credit, worth 15% or 16.2% after tax depending on the claimant.
- Which R&D scheme applies to my company? Essential read Start with the date your accounting period began, not your company size. That one date decides whether you are in the merged scheme era or the legacy SME and RDEC rules.
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