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. Useful for R&D-heavy businesses with cash gaps between accounting periods.
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.
Lenders we route to
Specialist UK R&D advance lenders only. The market is small and concentrated; we route to those with the strongest track record on first-claim acceleration.
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
Open R&D advance eligibility checker →Last reviewed: 26 April 2026.