Specialist R&D Tax & Grant Funding Advisors

Manufacturing and Engineering

If your company is in the manufacturing or engineering industry and you've recently introduced new or improved products or manufacturing processes then there is a strong chance that you could benefit from an R&D Tax Credit claim.

Manufacturing and Engineering

Guide Overview


Below we've created 5 simple sections to help you understand how R&D tax credits work in Manufacturing and Engineering and whether your business could make a claim.

What type of manufacturing and engineering projects can qualify for R&D tax credits?


Common examples of product and process development projects that may qualify for R&D tax relief include:

  • innovative product development using computer aided design tools;
  • development of second generation or improved products;
  • tooling and equipment fixture design and development;
  • developing unique computer numerical control programs;
  • designing innovative programmable logic controllers;
  • designing innovative manufacturing equipment;
  • prototyping and three-dimensional solid modelling;
  • development of computer models;
  • designing and developing cost-effective and innovative operational processes;
  • integrating new materials to improve product performance and manufacturing processes;
  • evaluating and determining the most efficient flow of material;
  • designing and evaluating process alternatives;
  • designing, constructing, and testing product prototypes;
  • increasing ease of operation or suitability of manufactured products;
  • developing processes that would meet increasing regulatory requirements; or,
  • streamlining manufacturing processes through automation.
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What projects can be included in an R&D Tax Credit claim for manufacturing and engineering projects?


In terms of qualifying tasks, the following activities would be considered eligible for R&D tax credits:

  • defining technical objectives;
  • identifying uncertainties;
  • feasibility studies;
  • reviewing new and competing technologies;
  • analysing, designing and developing the technology;
  • producing technical specification or other documents to explain and support the R&D project and advancement;
  • testing the product, process or software;
  • planning and managing projects.

In addition, certain indirect support activities may qualify for R&D tax relief, such as:

  • administration, finance, and personnel services specifically required to support R&D activities;
  • training to support R&D.

What R&D expenditure can be claimed for manufacturing and engineering projects?


You can claim relief on 25% of qualifying expenses. The main areas of costs that can be claimed are:

  • staff (salaries, company pension contributions, employer's Pay-Related Social Insurance [PRSI], bonus payments, and health insurance);
  • agency workers (externally provided workers);
  • individual consultants; and,
  • materials used in R&D or prototyping.
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What staff roles can be included in an R&D Tax Claim for manufacturing and engineering projects?


It is not uncommon for an R&D team to consist of many individuals from different parts of the business.

Your R&D project team may include the R&D Manager, a Lead Developer, Engineers, Project Co-ordinators, Quality Control and Testing specialists, and Cost Accountants, as well as members of the senior management team.

"It was good to work with a team who are dedicated to their field and know the law, the claims process, the pitfalls and who knows how to draft the technical reports at speed. I can't really complain about how the R&D claim was done. We were very, very happy"

Conor Quaine

Head of Finance, CitySwift Ltd

Is my business eligible for R&D Tax Credits?


If your company is taking a risk by innovating, improving, or developing a process, product, or service, then it will likely qualify for R&D tax credits.

A good test to determine if the work undertaken qualifies as R&D, is whether your project team faced uncertain outcomes at the start of the project.

That means that your team did not know from the outset whether a particular outcome was achievable.

If you can show that your project goes beyond simply applying existing technologies, then you may be eligible to make a claim.

Could you make claim?

Speak to our specialist team today and we can help you to decide whether your business meets the relevant criteria and whether any credits can be applied for the R&D projects you’ve undertaken.

Find out if you’re eligible

How we can help


By profiting from our specialist R&D tax credit knowledge and experience, you can be sure of securing & maximising your R&D tax claim. Typically, Myriad Associates submit R&D tax credit claims that deliver up to 3 x more value than in-house prepared claims or those filed by generalist accountants.

About Myriad Associates
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Our Ethos

  • Excellence and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
  • A partnership that strives to add significant added value to our client.
  • Full transparency of our services and costs, from start to finish.
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Our results

  • We have a 100% success rate spanning 14 years, which means every claim we’ve sent to Revenue has been approved
  • Trusted and respected advisor to our many delighted clients with an industry high customer retention rate
  • Myriad has achieved exceptional results by resubmitting R&D claims that were originally filed by the client. In some cases, we’ve increased previous claims by 300%
  • 1st class industry reputation delivering maximised R&D tax credit claims to companies in manufacturing & engineering, pharmaceutical, software, supply chain, digital design, immersive technology, food and beverage and many more.

Frequently asked questions


Common examples of product and process development projects that may qualify for R&D tax relief include:

  • innovative product development using computer aided design tools;
  • development of second generation or improved products;
  • tooling and equipment fixture design and development;
  • developing unique computer numerical control programs;
  • designing innovative programmable logic controllers;
  • designing innovative manufacturing equipment;
  • prototyping and three-dimensional solid modelling;
  • development of computer models;
  • designing and developing cost-effective and innovative operational processes;
  • integrating new materials to improve product performance and manufacturing processes;
  • evaluating and determining the most efficient flow of material;
  • designing and evaluating process alternatives;
  • designing, constructing, and testing product prototypes;
  • increasing ease of operation or suitability of manufactured products;
  • developing processes that would meet increasing regulatory requirements; or,
  • streamlining manufacturing processes through automation.

In terms of qualifying tasks, the following activities would be considered eligible for R&D tax credits:

  • defining technical objectives;
  • identifying uncertainties;
  • feasibility studies;
  • reviewing new and competing technologies;
  • analysing, designing and developing the technology;
  • producing technical specification or other documents to explain and support the R&D project and advancement;
  • testing the product, process or software;
  • planning and managing projects.

In addition, certain indirect support activities may qualify for R&D tax relief, such as:

  • administration, finance, and personnel services specifically required to support R&D activities;
  • training to support R&D.

You can claim relief on 25% of qualifying expenses. The main areas of costs that can be claimed are:

  • staff (salaries, company pension contributions, employer's Pay-Related Social Insurance [PRSI], bonus payments, and health insurance);
  • agency workers (externally provided workers);
  • individual consultants; and,
  • materials used in R&D or prototyping.

It is not uncommon for an R&D team to consist of many individuals from different parts of the business. Your R&D project team may include the R&D Manager, a Lead Developer, Engineers, Project Co-ordinators, Quality Control and Testing specialists, and Cost Accountants, as well as members of the senior management team.

A business must submit its R&D tax credits claim within 12 months of the end of the accounting period during which the R&D activities took place. To make a claim, the business will need to complete the CT1 form through the Revenue Online System. More details can be found in our blog: How Far Back Can I Claim R&D Tax Credits In Ireland?

Does your business qualify?

Speak to our experts today to see if your activities qualify.

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