Merged RDEC and ERIS
For accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024, most qualifying claims fall within the merged expenditure-credit scheme or Enhanced R&D Intensive Support.
Key points
- The merged scheme generally provides a taxable 20% expenditure credit.
- The gross credit is not the same as the final cash or tax benefit.
- ERIS has separate loss-making and R&D-intensity conditions.
- The accounting period, tax position, PAYE cap and other liabilities can affect the result.
The merged expenditure credit
The merged scheme uses an above-the-line taxable credit. The net benefit depends on the company's Corporation Tax position, and payment may pass through statutory steps before any amount is payable in cash.
Enhanced R&D Intensive Support
ERIS is aimed at qualifying loss-making, R&D-intensive SMEs. The intensity threshold, grace-period rules, surrenderable loss and PAYE cap need to be considered; it should not be inferred solely from total R&D spend.
Use calculations as illustrations
The calculator on this site illustrates ordinary merged RDEC only. It does not establish eligibility, apply ERIS automatically or guarantee a payment. An individual calculation should use the applicable accounting-period rules and company tax position.