Shoayb Patel is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and the Founder & CEO of RDvault, with 16+ years of experience in R&D tax credits across the UK and UAE. He specialises in R&D tax legislation, Frascati Manual criteria, and helping businesses understand and navigate R&D tax incentives.
He regularly writes and speaks about R&D tax credits, innovation and tax policy, with a particular focus on the emerging UAE R&D Tax Credit regime.
Shoayb Patel’s expertise in R&D tax and innovation has been featured beyond RDvault, with his insights contributing to conversations around the evolving UAE R&D tax landscape. His external publications offer practical perspectives for businesses and advisers navigating the country’s emerging R&D incentives and legislation.
Published by: ICAEW
Date: 21 May 2026
Author: Shoayb Patel ACA
Topic: UAE R&D Tax Credit regime, eligibility, qualifying expenditure, staff thresholds, pre-approval, free-zone eligibility, Phase 1, clawback and record keeping.
The Emirates R&D Council, re-established in September 2025, coordinates national innovation priorities across government, academia, and the private sector under Vision 2071. Official sources: Cabinet Decision No. 215 of 2025 and Ministerial Decision No. 24 of 2026. The Council's role in the R&D tax credit The Emirates Research…
Explore the UAE's leading startup accelerators and how they connect to R&D tax credits. From AI to healthtech, find the right platform to scale your innovation. ⚠ This article has been updated to reflect the confirmed legislation under Ministerial Decision No. 24 of 2026 and Cabinet Decision No. 215 of…
Dubai's $1.2 billion PropTech Hub creates new R&D tax credit opportunities for property technology startups under the D33 and Real Estate Strategy 2033 programmes. ⚠ This article has been updated to reflect the confirmed legislation under Ministerial Decision No. 24 of 2026 and Cabinet Decision No. 215 of 2025. See…
Navigate the UAE's R&D tax credit with the right advisors. Learn what to look for in accountants and tax specialists to maximise your claim and stay compliant. ⚠ This article has been updated to reflect the confirmed legislation under Ministerial Decision No. 24 of 2026 and Cabinet Decision No. 215…
How the UAE Vision 2031 plan to double GDP connects to R&D tax credits. Explore how national innovation targets are driving private-sector investment incentives. ⚠ This article has been updated to reflect the confirmed legislation under Ministerial Decision No. 24 of 2026 and Cabinet Decision No. 215 of 2025. See…
R&D tax credits are all we do. Built in Manchester in 2017, AED 396M+ (£80M+) processed in UK claims. Now claiming for the UAE.
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