R&D tax credit advance
Cash now against your filed (or about-to-be-filed) R&D tax credit claim. Specialist UK lenders advance up to 80% of the expected HMRC repayment, repaid when HMRC pays. Best for R&D-heavy UK limited companies with a sizeable claim and a cash gap before HMRC pays out.
At a glance
- Ticket size
- £25,000 to £2m+
- Typical advance
- Up to 80% of expected claim
- Typical rate
- 2% to 5% of advance
- Term
- Until HMRC pays (typically 2 to 6 months)
- Decision
- 5 to 10 business days
- Security
- Assignment of HMRC repayment
When it fits
- Tech, SaaS and biotech companies with significant qualifying R&D spend.
- Manufacturers with process-improvement R&D claims.
- Loss-making companies awaiting an SME R&D credit cash repayment.
- Profitable companies awaiting a corporation tax R&D deduction at year end.
What you need
- An R&D claim filed (or about to be filed) with a competent advisor.
- Clear eligibility under HMRC's R&D rules (which tightened materially in 2024-2025).
- Recent management accounts showing R&D spend allocation.
UK lenders in this market
Specialist UK R&D advance lenders. The market is small and concentrated.
Funding alongside the advance
An R&D advance only unlocks cash you're already owed. To fund the innovation itself, check whether an R&D or innovation grant fits, and for the working-capital gap between accounting periods an unsecured business loan or, for revenue-generating SaaS, revenue-based finance can bridge it.
Estimate what you can borrow
R&D advances are sized off your projected RDEC or SME-scheme claim. Run a quick estimate before you apply so you know the realistic range.
Apply
Check your R&D advance options →Last updated: .