Attention January 2026 year-end companies – Submit your ANF before the end of July!

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If this is your client’s first time claiming R&D tax credits (or they have not claimed in the last three years), they have to notify HMRC within six months of their year-end.

What does this mean?

If your client has a financial year-end in January 2026, the Advanced Notification Form (ANF) deadline is July 31, 2026 – it will be here before you know it!

Even if your client has conducted legitimate R&D activities, failure to submit the ANF when required will invalidate the claim.

ANF deadlines in 2026

Here are the deadlines to notify HMRC about your client’s intention to claim R&D tax relief:

Accounting year-endDeadline
31 January 202631 July 2026
28 February 202631 August 2026
31 March 202630 September 2026
30 April 202631 October 2026
31 May 202630 November 2026
30 June 202631 December 2026
31 July 202631 January 2027
31 August 202628 February 2027
30 September 202631 March 2027

Don’t miss your client’s ANF deadline! Contact our team today for expert R&D support.

Adam Bointon is a Technical Director specialising in R&D Tax Credits for SMEs in manufacturing and software sectors. With over 15 years’ experience, he works closely with businesses to identify qualifying R&D activities and prepare clear, compliant claims. He combines technical expertise with a strong understanding of economics and finance to support successful outcomes. Adam also contributes to industry webinars and CPD sessions, sharing insights on R&D tax relief and HMRC requirements.

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