Turn problem solving into profit

Many of the complex projects architects undertake contain elements that qualify for R&D tax credits but due to uncertainty over who and what qualifies, the relief is frequently overlooked by eligible practices. Invennt want to change the status quo and ensure ACA members receive the government support they are entitled to by revealing some of the areas of qualifying expenditure that architects should explore to leverage this important tax inventive.

Qualifying Expenditure

Architects thrive on innovation and every design that a practice produces will have evolved through an iterative process aimed at solving problems and overcoming technical challenges in order to meet client needs or design aspirations. You may not realise it, but this is precisely what HMRC define as R&D. Specific examples of eligible activity include:

  • Design of complex bespoke features such as cantilevers, staircases and façades
  • Projects involving trialling for performance,finish, thermal or structural properties
  • Development of designs, processes or systems to make buildings more cost, labour or material efficient
  • Development of designs that maximise space properties and user flow
  • Development of modular, prefabricates or offsite manufactured design
  • Projects involving software testing such as structural, thermal or wind modelling
  • Projects involving testing or prototyping (e.g. water ingress or wind resistance)
  • Projects with sustainable certification such as BREEAM, Passivhaus or LEED
  • Integration of sustainable systems or materials (e.g. timber, GRC, CLC, recycled or recovered materials
  • Projects demanding acoustic, natural light or thermal requirements that affect the building fabric
  • Consideration of complex energy performance and carbon impact
  • Designs for sensitive and secure environments
  • Designs and research for heritage or listed structures

Why Invennt?

Thanks to professionally chartered architects completing claims and robust processes that leave no stone unturned in the search for qualifying expenditure, Invennt can maximise claims while minimising the likelihood of an HMRC investigation. Invennt’s fee is entirely contingent on the success and scale of the claim and we can offer highly competitive rates to ACA members.

Case Study

Commercial Architect | Qualifying cost 12% of turnover | Over £280k in benefit
We were able to demonstrate that solving complex site constraints involved significant R&D. Computational design was a significant contributor to the claim and the claim process has revolutionised the way the business thinks about itself and lifted the morale of the business.

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