When it comes to claiming your R&D tax credit, should you rely on your trusted accountant or turn to a dedicated specialist? It’s a question many businesses face, and the answer can have a real impact on your results.

Ireland’s R&D tax credit rate has increased to 30% for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024. As a result, more companies are looking for ways to benefit from this government incentive. Most Irish SMEs and multinationals turn to their accountant first. But while your accountant plays an essential role in your company’s financial health, preparing a strong R&D claim needs technical knowledge and specialist skills.

Revenue now pays closer attention to the technical and scientific details in R&D claims. Businesses are seeing that R&D tax credits need different skills than standard financial reporting.

So what is the difference between getting support from your accountant and working with an R&D tax consultancy?

Evaluating your accountant’s support for R&D claims

Many Irish businesses go to their accountant first. After all, your accountant knows your books, handles your tax returns, and understands your company’s financial position. But an R&D tax claim is more than a financial calculation, it’s a technical justification of innovation. It requires the ability to translate innovation into technical eligibility under Revenue’s guidelines.

The Revenue Commissioners expect clear, evidence-based technical documentation demonstrating how projects achieve “scientific or technological advancement” and resolve uncertainties. This often sits outside a general accountant’s expertise. As a result, while your accountant can accurately capture costs, there’s a risk of underclaiming eligible expenditure or exposing the business to Revenue challenges if the technical narrative is insufficiently supported.

In short, your accountant can help you file numbers, but it takes a different skillset to defend the science behind those numbers.

The role and value of specialist R&D consultancies

An R&D tax consultancy brings a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and tax experts who understand both the technical and financial sides of your claim, so your submission meets Revenue’s rules and can be defended if needed.

A good R&D consultancy doesn’t take your accountant’s place; it adds another dimension of specialist insight and control over risk. That combination typically leads to more robust claims, clearer documentation, and greater peace of mind.

A good specialist consultancy offers:

 ✔  End-to-end compliance aligned with Ireland’s latest R&D tax credit legislation and Revenue guidance.

 ✔  Reliable technical narratives prepared by experts in science and engineering, not just finance.

 ✔  Optimised claim values by identifying eligible projects, activities, and expenditures often missed in standard accounting reviews.

 ✔  Full Revenue audit support, typically for four years after submission.

 ✔  Reduced administrative burden, reducing internal time pressures on your finance and R&D teams, so they can focus on their work.

 ✔  Expertise in cross-border claims, so your approach stays consistent if you also claim R&D incentives in the UK, EU, or US.

When you work with a consultancy, you do not replace your accountant. You add to their service.

Why choose ABGi Ireland

At ABGi Ireland, we combine 15 years of specialist experience in R&D tax credits with a deep understanding of Revenue compliance and European innovation funding.

Our approach is built on collaboration. We work with your accountants, not against them, making sure every claim integrates seamlessly with existing tax filings. Your accountant remains your financial adviser, while we deliver the technical and compliance expertise needed to support a strong R&D claim.

We have helped Irish businesses claim millions in R&D expenditure, maintaining an unblemished record with Revenue and offering full technical and financial support from eligibility assessment to post filing representation.

For each claim, we provide:

 →  Technical reporting overseen by qualified scientists and engineers.

 →  Financial analysis aligned with current Revenue requirements.

 →  Full claim management and four years of dedicated Revenue audit support.

 →  Guidance on additional funding routes, including the EIC Accelerator and other EU innovation programmes.

When you choose ABGi Ireland, you get a partner who understands both the science and the finance behind innovation. We help you secure R&D tax credit claims that are compliant, optimised, and ready to support your growth.

If you have any questions about R&D tax credits or Grant Funding please get in touch with ABGI Ireland.