Calculate UK Film Tax Relief (FTR) or Film Production Expenditure Credit (FPEC). Find your 34% or 53% tax credit on qualifying UK film production costs.
UK Film Tax Relief (FTR) is a corporation tax relief for UK film production companies. From January 2024, it has transitioned to the Film Production Expenditure Credit (FPEC), an above-the-line tax credit of 34% of qualifying UK core expenditure (capped at 80% of total core costs). Qualifying films must pass the BFI Cultural Test and have a minimum UK expenditure of 10% of total core costs.
The relief is available to the production company (the company responsible for the film under a contract). The company must be UK-resident, responsible for all creative, technical, and financial aspects of the film, and the film must be intended for theatrical release. Co-productions with overseas partners may also qualify under treaty arrangements.
The BFI Cultural Test for films awards up to 35 points across cultural content (up to 16 points), cultural contribution (up to 4 points), cultural hubs (up to 9 points for UK locations/studios), and cultural practitioners (up to 8 points for UK cast and crew). A minimum of 18 points is required to qualify as a British film. Most UK-produced commercial films pass this test.
Yes — Film Tax Relief is available to any qualifying UK company, including small independent production companies. There is no minimum budget requirement for the relief (although the HMRC minimum UK expenditure rule of 10% of core costs applies). Many low-budget UK independent films qualify and use the relief to fund significant portions of their production costs.
The FPEC (from January 2024) is an above-the-line credit that reduces the company's corporation tax liability. If the credit exceeds the CT liability or the company is loss-making, the excess is paid as a cash repayment by HMRC. This provides a cash flow benefit as interim payments can be claimed during production through the 'period of account' mechanism.