From your initial assessment to HMRC approval. Clear timelines, no surprises.
Complete the short assessment form on this site. We ask about your company, your activities, and which reliefs you think may apply. No documents required at this stage.
5 minutes, from youWe review your answers alongside your company's public record: Companies House filings, SIC code, headcount, and incorporation date. We look for signals that indicate likely qualifying activity.
1 to 2 business days, from usYou receive a written summary by email. It states clearly: whether we believe you likely qualify; which relief or reliefs apply; an indicative recovery range based on comparable companies in your sector; and recommended next steps. No phone call required to receive this.
3 to 5 business days from submissionIf you agree to proceed, we introduce you to the appropriate HMRC-registered specialist. The introduction includes a summary of your situation so you do not need to repeat yourself. The specialist contacts you directly to begin their review.
Within 1 week of your agreementThe specialist conducts their own review and gathers the information needed for the claim. For R&D this typically involves project descriptions and payroll data. For Capital Allowances it involves a property survey. They manage this process with you directly.
2 to 4 weeksThe specialist prepares the technical report and tax computation, then submits it to HMRC. You review and approve the submission before it is filed. The specialist manages all HMRC correspondence from this point.
4 to 8 weeksHMRC reviews the submission. Processing times vary by relief type. R&D claims currently take 4 to 12 weeks. Capital Allowances take 8 to 16 weeks. Land Remediation Relief takes 12 to 24 weeks. The specialist monitors progress and handles any HMRC queries.
R&D: 4 to 12 weeks | Capital Allowances: 8 to 16 weeks | Land Remediation: 12 to 24 weeksApproved relief is paid as a tax refund, a credit against future tax liability, or both, depending on the relief type and your tax position. The specialist's fee is deducted from the recovered amount. Uplift Tax receives its introducer fee from the specialist, not from you.
As part of your tax settlementTotal time from assessment to receiving funds
Typically 6 to 18 months depending on the relief type and HMRC processing times. R&D claims are generally the fastest. We will give you an honest estimate based on your specific situation in your written assessment.
Common questions
Many generalist accountants are cautious about specialist reliefs or lack the detailed knowledge to assess them fully. We have seen many cases where a specialist review reverses that initial assessment.
This is the most common objection we hear, and the most commonly wrong one. A second opinion costs you nothing. If you genuinely do not qualify, we will tell you clearly in the written assessment, and there is no further obligation.
R&D claims are subject to standard HMRC compliance checks, not a special audit process. Submitting a legitimate claim does not increase your audit risk.
Specialists manage all HMRC correspondence on your behalf. Poor-quality or inflated claims do attract scrutiny, which is precisely why using an HMRC-registered specialist matters. They only submit claims they assess as defensible.
Nothing upfront and nothing if no claim is approved.
Uplift Tax receives an introducer fee from the specialist, paid only on HMRC approval. The specialist's fee is agreed directly with you before any work begins. Fees are typically 15% to 25% of the recovery value, paid from the recovered funds.
You never pay from your own pocket. The fee comes out of money you would not otherwise have received.
From your assessment to receiving funds: typically 6 to 18 months depending on the relief type and HMRC processing times. R&D claims are generally the fastest at the lower end of that range.
We will give you a specific estimate in your written assessment based on the relief type and your company's circumstances.
Yes, within limits that vary by relief type.
R&D claims can typically cover the two most recent accounting periods. Capital Allowances surveys can identify missed allowances with no time limit on qualifying expenditure, provided the asset is still in use. Land Remediation Relief applies to costs incurred in the period of the claim.
The specialist will confirm exactly what periods are claimable based on your specific situation.
For your initial assessment with us: just basic company information, your SIC code, and a brief description of your activities. Nothing confidential at this stage.
For a full claim with the specialist, the requirements vary: financial records and project descriptions for R&D; property details and access for Capital Allowances surveys; remediation records and contracts for Land Remediation. The specialist guides you through exactly what is needed when they begin their review.
Specialist advisers only submit claims they assess as defensible. A well-prepared claim from a reputable specialist is rarely rejected outright.
If HMRC does reject a claim or raises a compliance check, the specialist manages the response at no additional cost to you in most cases. You should confirm the appeals process and any associated costs directly with the specialist before you engage them. This is a standard point to clarify before signing.
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