Ireland is referred to as the Silicon Valley of Europe, hosting as it does the European HQs for major US tech firms. Microsoft, Google and Meta have sites in Dublin, while Apple has settled in Cork. Intel has a manufacturing plant in Kildare. Alongside these multinationals, homegrown orgs flourish, including Stripe, Intercom, Fenergo, Wayflyer and Workhuman.

Research in the information and communication field is iterative and rapid, and your business could benefit hugely from the edge provided by a reduced tax liability. In this fast-paced sector, that advantage could help you outpace competitors in bringing your product or service to market.

What R&D looks like in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector

Cutting-edge research topics in the information and communication sector include:

  • the progression from generative artificial intelligence (AI) to agentic AI (that is, AI that can do things)
  • 5G to 6G transition and next-gen connectivity
  • edge computing
  • cybersecurity and zero trust architecture
  • machine learning
  • fintech analytics
  • social recognition
  • data processing
  • telecommunications
  • software

Typical eligible activities in information and communication

Work that qualifies for Revenue Ireland’s R&D tax credit includes software development and computer sciences (including mathematics and allied subjects).

You could reclaim some of the costs for projects intended to achieve scientific or technological advancement. Examples include:

  • a project to improve analysis of data taken from a utility company’s user records
  • a project to develop an AI that can manage dynamic appointment bookings
  • an investigation into the use of digital twins to monitor bridges along a major road
  • testing a new software-as-a-service (SaaS) delivery model
  • developing software for robot-assisted surgery

To find out whether your project is eligible for the R&D tax credit, talk to the experts at NX Advisory.

Typical eligible costs for an ICT R&D project

Typical eligible R&D costs for companies in the information and communications sector include:

  • plant and machinery
  • emoluments of employees carrying on qualifying activities
  • other qualifying costs

Most costs associated with investigating a technological uncertainty are likely to be eligible for the R&D tax credit. The project does not have to be successful. NX Advisory can help you to identify and qualify ICT research activities within your business.

How NX Advisory helps ICT businesses to claim R&D tax relief

IT and communications businesses that haven’t made an R&D tax credit claim are missing out on an opportunity to reclaim a substantial proportion of their research expenditure.

This fast-paced sector is rich in innovation, but IT business founders are often time poor and do not have the resources to manage an R&D tax credit application.

Working on a no-win, no-fee basis, we can help you to explore whether your research is eligible for this valuable benefit. We provide the resource and expertise needed to gather the data and make a compliant claim from the R&D tax credit programme. We can provide support in case of a Revenue inquiry into your claim as well.