Introduction Background
248.The new tax reliefs for animation and high-end television production will allow qualifying companies engaged in the production of animation and high-end television intended for release to the general public to claim an additional deduction in computing their taxable profits and where that additional deduction results in a loss, to surrender those losses for a payable tax credit. Similarly the new video games development relief will allow eligible companies engaged in the production of qualifying video games to claim an additional deduction in computing their taxable profits and where that additional deduction results in a loss, to surrender those losses for a payable tax credit.
249.Both the additional deduction and the payable credit are calculated on the basis of UK core expenditure up to a maximum of 80% of the total core expenditure by the qualifying company. The additional deduction is 100% of qualifying core expenditure and the payable tax credit is 25% of losses surrendered.
250.For all three new reliefs the credit is based on the company’s qualifying expenditure on the production of a qualifying animation, high-end television programme or video game of which at least 25% of the qualifying expenditure must be on goods or services used or consumed in the UK.
251.The animation or high-end television programme or game must be certified as a culturally British product to qualify for the tax credit.
252.The three new tax reliefs are part of the Government's growth agenda (as detailed in the Plan for Growth document published in March 2011). The aim is to help support technological innovation and ensure that animation, high-end television and video game production companies continue to contribute to UK economic growth and to British culture.
253.In June 2012 a stage 2 consultation document: ‘Consultation on creative sector tax reliefs’ was published giving more detail on the design proposals.