From 1 April 2021, HMRC introduced a cap on the amount of R&D tax credit that will be paid to a loss making SME. The R&D tax credit will be capped at £20,000 plus three times the total PAYE and NIC liability of the company for the year. A company making a claim for a payable R&D tax credit of less than £20,000 will not be impacted by the cap. If your benefit would be a reduction in payable corporation tax (or refund of tax already paid) you won’t be affected.