On 7 August 2019 HMRC published updated statistics on creative industries tax relief.
Film tax relief
Film tax relief is given at 25% of qualifying production expenditure and is available in the case of British qualifying films that have either passed a cultural test or are qualifying co-productions, subject to certain conditions. In 2018-19 a total of GBP 595 million of FTR was granted as a result of 790 claims, concerning 705 films. A total of GBP 3.3 billion has been granted in response to 5,295 claims to relief since the current film tax relief was first introduced in 2007.
High end television tax relief
The high-end television (HETV) tax relief makes available a tax deduction for qualifying companies. A claim can be made if the program passes a cultural test; is intended for broadcast; and is a drama, comedy or documentary, subject to certain conditions. In 2018-19, GBP 246 million of HTR was paid in relation to 220 claims to relief, concerning 210 programmes. A total of GBP 821 million has been granted as a result of 770 claims since the HTR was first introduced in 2013.
Animation tax relief
This relief supports the production of culturally relevant animations in the UK and allows a tax deduction or a repayable tax credit for qualifying companies. A company must qualify under a cultural test and certain other criteria. In 2018-19, GBP 16 million was paid in tax relief as a result of 90 claims, concerning 95 animations. A total of GBP 61 million has been granted in tax relief as a result of 325 claims since the relief was first introduced in 2013.
Video Games Tax Relief
Under video games tax relief (VGTR) 25% tax relief is granted on a maximum of 80% of the production budget of a qualifying video game. In 2018-19, 345 claims to video games tax relief were made and a total of GBP 103 million was granted in tax relief, representing 535 video games. Since VGTR was first introduced, a total of GBP 324 million has been granted in tax relief in relation to 1,110 claims for relief.
Children’s Television Tax Relief
Children’s television tax relief is generally similar to HETV and animation tax relief, and claimants are subject to a cultural test and other conditions. In 2018-19, 55 claims were made for a total of GBP 16 million in Children’s Television Tax Relief, in relation to 115 programmes. Since the CTV was first introduced in 2015, a total of GBP 34 million has been granted in tax relief as a result of 140 claims for the relief.
Theatre Tax Relief
This relief may be claimed by a qualifying production company playing before live paying audiences or with educational purposes, subject to certain conditions. In 2018-19 a total of GBP 78 million of theatre tax relief was granted in relation to 930 claims. Since the Theatre Tax Relief was first introduced in 2014, a total of GBP 208 million has been granted in relation to 2,520 claims, concerning 8,395 productions.
Orchestra tax relief
In 2018-19, GBP 16 million of orchestra tax relief (OTR) was granted in relation to 120 claims, concerning a total of 555 productions. The OTR was introduced in 2016. Since its introduction a total of GBP 23 million has been granted in relation to 170 claims concerning 770 productions.
Museums and Galleries Tax Relief
The Museum and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief (MGETR) was introduced in 2017. Since its introduction GBP 4 million has been paid as a result of 50 claims, in relation to 300 exhibitions.
