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QLC
  • Our R&D Gateway
  • R&D Tax Credits
  • Why choose QLC?
  • HMRC Enquiries & Compliance
  • R&D Sectors
    • Small/SMEs
    • Large
    • Startups
    • Pharmaceutical
    • Technology
    • Manufacturing
    • Construction
    • Software Development
    • Agriculture
    • Fintech
    • Cloud Computing
    • Engineering
    • AI & Robotics
    • Food & Drink
    • Medtech
    • Textiles
  • R&D Success Stories
    • Electrifying a Classic Porsche
    • Machines Driving Efficiency
    • Engineering Stability
    • Tools of the Trade
    • Pioneering Natural Weight-Loss Treatment
    • Reviving A Maserati
  • Resources
    • R&D Accounting Support
    • R&D Tax Calculator
    • Enquiry Risk Calculator
    • Insights
    • HMRC R&D Pre-Notification Form
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Team
    • Work at QLC
  • Referral Programme
    • Partner
    • Accountants
    • Clients
  • Film & TV Tax Credits
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HMRC R&D enquiries with our expert support

We deal with HMRC R&D compliance checks for you - no extra cost to our clients
HMRC enquiries into R&D claims can be complex. We handle them end-to-end, drafting your responses, liaising with HMRC, and protecting your claim with expert technical defence and supporting documentation.
 
We have a dedicated compliance team with an excellent track record of defending and preventing enquiries. 
Get your R&D tax
Talk to an expert to start your claim
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Easy and efficient process

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High claim success rate

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Get your claim within 16 days

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No minimum fee

Why trust QLC?

Current Landscape

HMRC has intensified its scrutiny of R&D tax relief claims. In the 2023/24 tax year, the enquiry rate surged to 17%, with approximately 9,700 of the 61,000 claims undergoing compliance checks. This marks a significant increase from the historical average of around 1%.

Other Advisors

Many R&D tax advisors report enquiry rates ranging between 5% and 10%. Some firms charge extra fees for defending clients during HMRC enquiries, potentially leading to unexpected costs for businesses (QLC don’t).

QLC

At QLC, we pride ourselves on our meticulous approach:

  • Enquiry Rate: Approximately 1.7%, significantly below the industry average.
  • Success Rate: We successfully defend 87% of the claims that are enquired.

Our proactive strategies and thorough documentation ensure that our clients' claims are robust and defensible

 



 

What we do
Success stories

What Our Clients Say About Us

"HMRC opened an enquiry into our R&D claim. With strong support and well-prepared legal arguments around CTA 2009, including subcontracting and subsidy rules, the claim was successfully defended after detailed engagement."

Jo Moran (Accountant)

Structural Engineering

"Ruari guided us through a complex and frustrating enquiry with professionalism, legal insight and calm reassurance. His advocacy and understanding of case law were key to a successful outcome. A concise, clear communicator—strong when needed."

Jim Ogilvie (Director)

Software Engineering

"Ruari has been superb as a first point of contact—thorough, analytical, and articulate. His ability to drill into core issues in complex matters and provide sound, reasoned advice makes his service consistently excellent and highly regarded."

Darren Spooner (Director)

Motorsport Engineering

"Our small engineering firm faced a tough HMRC enquiry into a two-year R&D claim. The interview was intense, but with expert preparation and deep knowledge of our project, the defence was well handled—and ultimately, the claim was successfully upheld.."

Grant Beedle (Director)

Electromagnetic Engineering

"They are proactive and efficient in performing their service and I have been impressed by their dynamism."

Chris Wright (Director)

Motorsport Engineering

"Your company did exactly what you said it would do. It took far less time than the other company that we had used in the past. We are extremely pleased with the outcome."

Adrian Smith (Company Sec)

Manufacturing Firm

"HMRC opened an enquiry into our R&D claim. With strong support and well-prepared legal arguments around CTA 2009, including subcontracting and subsidy rules, the claim was successfully defended after detailed engagement."

Jo Moran (Accountant)

Structural Engineering

"Ruari guided us through a complex and frustrating enquiry with professionalism, legal insight and calm reassurance. His advocacy and understanding of case law were key to a successful outcome. A concise, clear communicator—strong when needed."

Jim Ogilvie (Director)

Software Engineering

"Ruari has been superb as a first point of contact—thorough, analytical, and articulate. His ability to drill into core issues in complex matters and provide sound, reasoned advice makes his service consistently excellent and highly regarded."

Darren Spooner (Director)

Motorsport Engineering

"Our small engineering firm faced a tough HMRC enquiry into a two-year R&D claim. The interview was intense, but with expert preparation and deep knowledge of our project, the defence was well handled—and ultimately, the claim was successfully upheld.."

Grant Beedle (Director)

Electromagnetic Engineering

"They are proactive and efficient in performing their service and I have been impressed by their dynamism."

Chris Wright (Director)

Motorsport Engineering

"Your company did exactly what you said it would do. It took far less time than the other company that we had used in the past. We are extremely pleased with the outcome."

Adrian Smith (Company Sec)

Manufacturing Firm

Why we’re different

Commitment beyond our clients

QLC believes in fair treatment for all SMEs. We extend our expertise to assist businesses facing HMRC enquiries, even if they aren't our clients. Our goal is to uphold the integrity of genuine innovation and ensure that all SMEs receive the support they deserve.

 

Meet Our Experts

Ruari-1

Ruari Clark

Enquiries Lead

Ruari Clark is a specialist in Research & Development (R&D) tax relief, with a… Read More
Eiran Barkhordarian

Eiran Barkhordarian

Lead Consultant

Eiran heads our team of project analysts and is responsible for ensuring… Read More
Harriet Collings

Harriet Collings

Head of Business Development

With extensive leadership and management skills, Harriet leads our sales team,… Read More
Katy-1

Katy Lane

Chief Operating Officer

Katy has a long history of working with startups and brings expert account… Read More
Meet more of the team
Ruari-1
Enquiries Lead

Ruari Clark

Ruari Clark is a specialist in Research & Development (R&D) tax relief, with a proven track record of guiding companies through complex and often high-stakes HMRC enquiries. His calm, analytical approach and deep knowledge of tax law—particularly the nuances of the Corporation Tax Act 2009—have earned him praise from clients across a wide range of industries. As one client noted, “He guided and advised on tactics and content of argument and provided excellent advocacy throughout an ultimately successful process.”

Known for his clarity, methodical working style, and ability to distil complex technical information into well-structured legal arguments, Ruari has helped numerous businesses secure and defend significant R&D claims. In one case, a small engineering firm under intense HMRC scrutiny recalled: “The interview was intense, but with expert preparation and deep knowledge of our project, the defence was well handled—and ultimately, the claim was successfully upheld.”

Ruari brings the same rigour and professionalism to all client work, whether handling a straightforward claim or preparing for an HMRC tribunal. He is highly valued for his ability to build trust, communicate effectively, and “drill down to the main issues at heart in a complex matter.” Having worked alongside leading QCs and now pursuing a career at the Bar, Ruari continues to be a standout figure in the R&D tax and legal space.

Eiran Barkhordarian
Lead Consultant

Eiran Barkhordarian

Eiran heads our team of project analysts and is responsible for ensuring compliance with HMRC’s regulations. Since joining QLC in 2022, he has handled claims for hundreds of clients and provides an efficient and pleasant service. In his role as Lead Consultant, Eiran works to continually adapt and improve our approach, ensuring we always align with the latest guidance and provide robust claims for our clients. Eiran graduated with 1st Class Honours in Anatomical Sciences, and his experience in scientific and academic research helps him analyse and demonstrate to HMRC the qualifying nature of the work our clients do. Eiran is a keen tennis player and art enthusiast who enjoys reading history, cooking, and drawing in his spare time.

Harriet Collings
Head of Business Development

Harriet Collings

With extensive leadership and management skills, Harriet leads our sales team, working with new and existing clients to ensure they get the very best experience and results. She also helps our clients develop new revenue streams.

Katy-1
Chief Operating Officer

Katy Lane

Katy has a long history of working with startups and brings expert account analysis skills to QLC clients. Her experience includes financial reports for more than 1,000 claims. She oversees all our current submissions.

Work with us

With QLC, you're partnering with a firm that not only delivers outstanding results but also stands by the broader SME community. Our track record speaks for itself, and our commitment to excellence ensures you're in safe hands.

 

GET STARTED

Let's Talk

Get in touch for a free consultation. If you are a QLC client, we've got you covered already. If you are looking for support with a claim not submitted by us, get in touch for a free consultation.

Talk to an expert
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Queens

Find us

4 Manchester Square

London

W1U 3PD

United Kingdom

Contact Us

info@queenslc.com

Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 17:00

0208 062 6837

© 2024 Queen’s Lane Consultants Limited. Company Number 11450705. VAT Number 300 9457 25.

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