R&D Tax Credits Now Include Data and Cloud Computing Costs
Released On 31st May 2022
In his 2021 autumn statement, the Chancellor announced that companies claiming R&D tax relief would now be able to claim relief against all costs associated with data and cloud computing. This was further extended in the spring statement, with the inclusion of mathematics as an eligible activity.
Companies can now claim relief against the costs associated with using third party resources and services in the acquisition, analysis and storage of big data, making greater use of digital twinning, simulation and prototyping.
Businesses can also now claim relief for pushing the boundaries of pure maths – for example in mathematical modelling projects which help to better understand vibration patterns in electrical equipment to effect better dampening strategies or to improve the performance of optical identification systems on inspections lines.
The inclusion of such costs to the R&D tax relief schemes is not only a direct boost for a wide range of IT related sectors (such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing or AR/VR) but will also bring huge benefits to the “modernising manufacturing” agenda, which relies heavily on the use of data throughout R&D, design and innovation, including digitalisation and automation projects.
Furthermore, the ability to claim relief against costs for the use of third-party facilities and services makes these resources more accessible for smaller companies that may previously have been excluded due to high costs of entry, levelling the playing field in the digitalisation of R&D.
