From complexity to compliance: Building robust R&D tax claims with WhisperClaims

Author: Jen Badger Published: 29th September, 2025

At WhisperClaims, our mission has always been to help accountants and advisers prepare robust, compliant R&D tax relief claims with confidence.

That value has only become more important in recent years, as the landscape for R&D tax has changed dramatically:

  • Complexity has increased with multiple scheme types, new eligibility rules and reporting requirements.
  • Financial benefits have reduced, making accuracy and efficiency essential.
  • Scrutiny from HMRC has intensified, with even minor mistakes leading to questions or enquiries.

Add to this the rise of AI and automation, and the question of whether or not to use software is the wrong question. The right question is whether your software can truly manage the risks and complexity of R&D tax.  

Our answer is clear – navigating this space requires more than a template, it requires a framework.

Why are R&D claims so complex?

Take just one decision point: choosing which R&D scheme to claim through.

Currently, there are six R&D schemes and up to nine possible claim routes. The right choice depends on interconnected factors such as:

  • company size and structure
  • accounting period dates
  • R&D intensity ratio
  • type and amount of grant funding
  • whether projects were subcontracted or carried out for others
  • company’s registered address
  • profit/loss position and exemptions

We’ve pulled this together into a flow chart (figure 1) and as you can see, it’s not a simple decision. It is, however, a decision that needs to be made correctly for every single claim. This is without even considering how to assess SME status, whether the claim is affected by the PAYE cap, whether the company meets the R&D intensive criteria…It’s a lot to remember and apply every time.

WhisperClaims Flowchart Value

Figure 1: Flowchart showing how to decide which R&D tax relief scheme(s) can be utilised

How WhisperClaims helps

WhisperClaims was designed, and continues to evolve, to manage this complexity, giving accountants a structured, repeatable process that ensures nothing is overlooked.

  • Dynamic question sets: Our software flexes to ask only the questions relevant to each client’s circumstances, probing deeper where risk or uncertainty exists.
  • Decision engine: It analyses the data gathered and applies the rules consistently to calculate eligibility, route expenditure correctly, and flag risks.
  • Risk mitigation: Our system will not allow invalid claims to progress – for example, where deadlines have passed or claim notification forms are missing. This is what we call the power of no, offering confidence that only strong claims go forward.
  • Compliance-ready outputs: The app produces all the required documentation for each claim, aligned with HMRC’s Additional Information Form (AIF) introduced in 2023.

Importantly, WhisperClaims is not just software. Every subscription includes access to our Advice Line, where R&D tax experts act as a silent partner to your team, guiding you through grey areas, scheme queries, or eligibility challenges.

Why is a framework needed now more than ever?

Before August 2023, there was no statutory requirement to submit a detailed report with an R&D claim. Today, the AIF makes robust documentation mandatory, and HMRC has signalled that scrutiny will remain high.

This is why firms using WhisperClaims have a competitive advantage: a platform designed around compliance, combined with expert human support, ensures that every claim is prepared to withstand enquiry.

Our value

WhisperClaims is more than just software – it’s a framework for compliance, risk management, and efficiency in R&D tax relief. Accountants save time while maintaining rigour. Clients gain confidence that their claims are defensible. Firms protect their reputation in a challenging, highly visible sector.

If you’d like to find our more about how WhisperClaims software and expert Advice Line support can help you prepare robust claims on behalf of your clients, whilst keeping you confidently on the right side of HMRC, why not book a demo?

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© 2025 Wobbegong Technology Ltd (Registered number 10754811), trading as WhisperClaims.

WhisperClaims is a registered trademark of Wobbegong Technology Ltd (Trade Mark No.: UK00003360482).

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