TIGA, the trade association representing the UK’s video games industry, has published a new, concise guide for studios navigating the new Video Games Expenditure Credit.
TIGA successfully campaigned for the introduction of Video Games Tax Relief in 2014. Since then, Video Games Tax Relief (VGTR) has supported growth, inward investment, and job creation in the UK video games industry.
As part of the Spring Budget 2023, the Government announced that VGTR would be phased out and replaced with the Video Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC). TIGA engaged with the Government during 2023 concerning VGEC and further details about the Credit were announced in the Autumn Statement in 2023. The VGEC has been available for companies to claim from 1 January 2024. Although the new credit is slightly more generous than the existing VGTR, there are some other important differences which studios and games businesses need to be aware of.
With that in mind, TIGA has published a Guide for studios, created in conjunction with Andrew McMillan, Tax Partner at independent UK-wide accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael. The Guide covers a range of issues, including:
- The difference between VGTR and VGEC.
- How to benefit from the Credit.
- The relief available in respect of the game under development.
- The time limit for making a claim.
- The qualifying criteria for games under each scheme.
- The applicability of VGTR and VGEC.
- Subcontracting, outsourcing and VGEC.
- Territorial restrictions.
- Connected party costs.
Dr Richard Wilson OBE, CEO of TIGA, said: “Video Games Tax Relief (VGTR) is incredibly valuable to UK games studios. VGTR has enabled our studios to compete on a more equal footing with games development companies in other territories and the Relief has powered economic growth in our sector. VGEC will continue to drive growth in the UK video games industry. However, there are important differences between VGTR and VGEC, which is why we have worked with Johnston Carmichael to create this invaluable Guide. We are grateful to Andrew McMillan, Tax Partner at Johnston Carmichael, for working with TIGA to produce this Guide to the new VGEC.”
Johnston Carmichael is an independent UK wide accountancy firm with approximately 1,000 people specialising in areas including business advisory, tax, audit, corporate financial and consulting. The firm specialises in a number of key sectors including Games and Games Technology, with clients spanning innovative start up studios to large AAA, and a strong associated network. Johnston Carmichael has a proven track record of establishing long and productive relationships with clients and, in many instances, acting through the entire company lifecycle from start up to exit.
To download a copy of TIGA’s VGEC Guide, please complete the form below:-