Get expert help from TBAT Innovation to assist with completing your HMRC R&D Claim Notification form — Initial assessment completely free of charge
Are you looking for a hassle-free way to complete your HMRC R&D claim notification (also known as pre-notification)? Our R&D tax specialists at TBAT can help you understand if your business needs to complete the HMRC claim notification, ensuring full compliance with UK regulations.
Whether you’re managing documents for your business or personal accounts, our expert support will help ensure your R&D Tax claim is protected.
For all TBAT contracted clients, we recommend sorting this out as soon as possible to avoid any delays or issues with receiving your entitled tax relief.
Due to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, we’re unable to submit a claim notification on behalf of a non-contracted client. However, Our R&D tax credit experts are more than happy to review your submission dates and previous claims to evaluate whether a pre-notification is likely to be required.
The HMRC claim notification (pre-notification) process can be confusing, even for experienced businesses, due to changing guidance, tight deadlines, and the complexities of R&D Tax compliance. It’s easy for things to be missed, especially if amendments have been made to previous submissions, or if your accountant has submitted an amendment and added the R&D tax claim without clear communication. This lack of clarity between client and accountant can lead to critical oversights. That’s why it’s essential to work with specialist R&D tax consultants who understand the full picture.
⚠️ If you miss the pre-notification deadline, even if your work qualifies as R&D, HMRC will reject your claim, and you could lose out on the money entirely.
HMRC claim notification is a process where individuals or businesses pre-notify HMRC about their intention to submit specific tax-related claims. This requirement is part of broader reforms aimed at reducing errors and fraud, ensuring that R&D tax relief claims are genuine and well-planned.
For accounting periods starting on or after April 1, 2023, pre-notification is mandatory for first-time claimants or those who haven’t submitted a claim in the last three years. Eligible businesses must complete and submit a notification form within six months of the end of their accounting period.
There are some exceptions…
If you’ve filed a claim before, it’s important to verify whether it was lodged within the three-year timeframe and if it was submitted either as an original or amended Corporation Tax return. To determine the applicable three-year period, identify the deadline for the notification period (six months following the close of your accounting period) and count back three years from that point. If a prior claim was submitted during this period, notification may not be required; however, certain transitional rules regarding the method of submission should be reviewed.
An R&D claim notification may be submitted either by a company representative or by an agent authorised to act on the company’s behalf.
Pre-notification is designed to streamline tax processes and ensure compliance with HMRC regulations. By notifying HMRC in advance, businesses can avoid delays and complications when submitting their R&D claims. This measure also helps HMRC verify the authenticity of claims and maintain the integrity of the tax system.
We understand how easy it is to miss changes in the R&D Tax world, especially when you’re focused on growing your business.
That’s why TBAT Innovation offer a free Claim Notification Assessment, helping to ensure all the correct documentation is submitted accurately and on time.
Should you need to submit a Claim Notification Assessment to HMRC, our R&D Tax specialists are on hand to provide guidance and answer any queries.
✅ We gather the necessary information and submit it on your behalf
✅ We ensure it meets HMRC’s exact standards
✅ We track the deadline so nothing gets missed
✅ We’ll confirm submission with documentation for your records
This service is ideal for start-ups, SMEs, and even larger businesses looking to stay compliant without investing internal resources.
Ready to get started? Contact us now
If you’re preparing to submit an R&D claim with HMRC, it’s vital to get the details right the first time.
While the form is short, it must be accurate and submitted through the HMRC online portal. The key information required from your business to complete the claim notification form includes:
The company’s Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).
Details of the senior officer within the company responsible for overseeing the R&D claim.
Information for all agents engaged in the R&D claim process.
You don’t need a full claim ready at this point, but the pre-notification tells HMRC that you’re planning to submit one.
You can submit your claim notification forms online by using a Government Gateway user ID or providing an email address.
TBAT Innovation works with accountancy firms across the UK to deliver reliable, fully compliant R&D tax services. As HMRC tightens its regulations, we help safeguard your clients’ claims and your professional reputation by ensuring every submission meets the latest standards, including the claim notification (pre-notification) requirement. Let’s work together to deliver the best outcomes for your clients, without adding to your workload.
HMRC will send you a confirmation email with a reference number that you should keep for future use. If you choose to proceed with your claim, mark box 656 in your Company Tax Return to indicate that a claim notification form has been submitted. If you decide not to move forward with your claim, no further action is necessary.
⚠️ Don’t forget that in order to submit a full claim, an Additional Information form is required.
On 8 September 2024, HMRC published incorrect guidance in its Corporate Intangible Research & Development Manual (CIRD183000), which remained in place until it was removed on 17 October 2024. This guidance misinterpreted section 1045A(2), Chapter 2, Part 13 of CTA09 regarding the requirement to submit a Claim Notification Form. As a result, some companies may have been wrongly advised on whether they needed to provide this notification.
Following the correction, HMRC has updated its position and will now accept R&D tax relief claims without a Claim Notification Form under the following conditions:
Companies affected by this issue are encouraged to contact HMRC directly or through their tax agents.
Please note this update slightly changes the previous guidance. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to TBAT Innovation for support.
👉 Book a free 1-2-1 consultation to discuss how we can support you
Get in touch with
Ian Davie
T: 01332 819740
E: info@tbat.co.uk
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