British Columbia Announces Changes to Film and TV Tax Credits

On May 2, 2016 the government of British Columbia announced significant changes to the province’s film, television and digital media tax credit programs. While the changes remain to be approved by the provincial legislature, they will involve the following:

the Basic Production Services tax credit (PTSC) will drop from 33% to 28% of eligible expenditures
the Digital Animation or Visual Effects tax credit (DAVE) will drop from 17.5% to 16% of eligible expenditures

Note that the Film Incentive British Columbia tax credit (the “Canadian content” credit) will not be altered by the changes.

The changes will become effective on September 30, 2016, thereby allowing a significant transition period.

For a full run-down of the specifics of the announced changes, see this detailed Dentons client alert.

About Bob Tarantino

Bob Tarantino is Counsel at Dentons Canada LLP and focuses his practice on the interface between the entertainment industries and intellectual property law, with an emphasis on film and television production, financing, licensing, distribution, and IP acquisition and protection. His clients range from artists and independent producers to Canadian distributors and foreign studios and financiers at every stage of the creative process, from development to delivery and exploitation.