Giving further impetus to the animation industry, the UK Government in the draft legislation for its upcoming Finance Bill announced that the new enhanced animation expenditure credit will be extended to include animated theatrical release films in addition to animated TV programmes.
During his budget speech on 15 March, the chancellor of the exchequer, Jeremy Hunt announced that the animation and children’s TV sector would benefit from a 39 per cent Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC), praising the film and TV industry as a major contributor to growth in the UK.
Animation UK, serves as the unified voice of the animation sector and responsible for building the case for the original animation tax credit has campaigned tirelessly for tax incentives to increase, in the light of competitive international offers. It argued the case, supported by compelling evidence from its members, for the animation uplift to include animated theatrical release films.
“Having presented the business and financial case on behalf of our members, Animation UK is delighted with the decision taken by HMT/HMRC and DCMS to apply the AVEC animation uplift to theatrical features, a strategic move that firmly places the UK animation industry on the global stage during this crucial period,” said Animation UK executive chair Kate O’Connor. “The resulting enhancement across the industry is set to supercharge its overall growth. Not only do these animations attract significant budgets (in the ballpark of £15m-£100m), but they also herald advanced technological breakthroughs, while offering long-term, sustainable employment opportunities for a workforce of up to 250 people throughout the entirety of a project’s lifespan.”
O’Connor further mentioned, “Overall, our animated content plays an immeasurable role in our nation’s soft power, driving exports, and promoting the uniqueness of UK creativity worldwide. Regarded as the zenith of our animated output, this inclusion of animated features is not just beneficial, but fundamentally essential to the vitality of the industry. The animation sector as a whole stands to reap immense benefits from this progressive step.”
Locksmith Animation chief operating officer Britt Gardiner is the chair of the Animation UK Features Working Group. “As an independent producer of high-quality animated features for global audiences Locksmith Animation is delighted that the AVEC animation uplift is being applied to theatrical features. This incentivises UK-based production at the very highest level of animation; leading to ongoing investment in developing the talent and technology to produce big budget world-class animated films that promote UK creativity across the world,” he said.
“I was delighted to hear the news on 18 July that animated films released theatrically will also be eligible for the AVEC animation tax uplift. Aardman over the last 20+ years has released eight films theatrically, and will be releasing our ninth film Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget on Netflix in December of this year,” said Aardman managing director Sean Clarke.
According to him, film industry is continuing to go through much change on how films are distributed and consumed, and this is an important step to ensure a level playing field for raising finance for all films, no matter how they are distributed, giving more flexibility in distribution models and of course, attracting investment in the UK animation industry.
“We want the UK to be the best place to start and grow a business and while we have the lowest corporation tax rate in the G7, we are not complacent. The changes we are making are about backing businesses to innovate and grow the UK economy, creating good jobs across the country,” said financial secretary to HM Treasury Victoria Atkins.
HM Revenue and Customs published the draft legislation for the Audio-Visual Tax Relief reform on 18 July. It announced that not only would animation and children’s TV receive a credit rate of 39 per cent (29.25 per sent net after tax), but to ensure fairness, the higher rate of credit will be extended to include animated theatrical release films.
This will take effect from 1 January 2024. Hitherto, animated features were eligible to claim the existing Film Tax Relief at a rate of 25 per cent, so including animated features in the Animation AVEC represents a significant 4.25 per cent net uplift after tax.