Creative Industry Tax Reliefs
The government have set up tax relief schemes for certain industries to help them survive and grow.
WallsMan Creative helps maximise creative tax reliefs.
WallsMan Creative prepares and submits creative industry tax relief and expenditure credit claims for production companies, studios, theatres, orchestras and cultural organisations.
Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) →
AVEC is the new system for film, high-end TV, animation and children’s TV. If your project passes the UK BFI cultural test, you can claim a payable credit on qualifying production spend.
Independent Film Tax Credit →
Independent Film Tax Credit is an enhanced 53% Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit for low-budget British films.
Video Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC) →
VGEC replaces the old Video Games Tax Relief and is open to UK developers whose games meet the cultural test. It allows studios to claim a credit on eligible design, development and production costs.
R&D tax credits →
The R&D scheme is more broad in that it can be applied to any industry, but more specifically you must be able to demonstrate that you are working on something innovative and how.
Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) →
Theatre Tax Relief supports UK theatre companies producing live performances, including plays, musicals and touring productions. Eligible companies can claim a payable tax credit on qualifying production costs.
Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR) →
Orchestra Tax Relief is designed for orchestras and live musical ensembles performing concerts for the public. It allows eligible organisations to claim a payable tax credit on qualifying rehearsal, performance and production costs.
Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief (MGETR) →
Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief supports the creation of temporary or touring exhibitions, including design, curation and installation costs.
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Frequently Asked Questions about creative industry tax reliefs
Creative Industry Tax Reliefs are UK government incentives designed to support sectors such as film, TV, animation, video games, and innovative businesses.
Claims handled by WallsMan Creative arrive complete, so there's a fast turnaround time for that.
HMRC has a specialist Creative Industries Unit, which handles queries and claims relating to creative-industry Corporation Tax reliefs, including film, television, video games, theatre, orchestral concerts, and museum or gallery exhibitions.
Interim claims allow a production company to claim relief on expenditure incurred to date, before the production completes, where the work spans more than one accounting period. WallsMan Creative reviews production schedules at the point of engagement to establish whether an interim claim is available in the current accounting period.
The most common schemes include:
- Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC)
- Video-Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC)
- R&D tax credits
Other niche schemes may apply depending on the nature of your work.
AVEC is the replacement for older film and TV tax reliefs. It applies to:
- Film
- High-end TV
- Animation
- Children’s TV
If your project passes the BFI cultural test, you can claim a payable credit on qualifying production spend, even if your company is loss-making.
VGEC replaces the former Video Games Tax Relief and is available to UK video game developers whose games pass the cultural test. It allows claims on qualifying design, development, and production costs.
R&D tax credits apply where your business is:
- Solving technical or scientific uncertainty
- Developing innovative processes, software, or products
- Creating new or improved methods, not just routine work
Many creative and digital businesses qualify without realising it.
Specialist advice is critical. Careful structuring is required to avoid double-claiming while maximising overall relief.
The fastest way is a free consultation, where we assess your activities, structure, and past accounts to identify which reliefs apply and estimate potential value.