Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the (a) longest, (b) shortest and (c) average time taken from claim to decision was for Research and Development tax relief in (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2024-25.

HMRC aims to process 85% of Research and Development (R&D) tax relief claims within 40 working days. This target was met in both 2023–24 and 2024–25, with performance reaching 90% in 2024–25, as reported in HMRC’s Annual Report and Accounts.

HMRC published information on the average duration of a compliance check in the Approach to Research and Development tax reliefs 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK

Since 31 December 2024, HMRC has received 20 voluntary disclosures about incorrect R&D tax relief claims with a total value of £5.5m via the R&D Disclosure Facility.