Indie Dev’ Guide 14: Video Games Expenditure Credit

In order to provide further support for the UK games industry, the government have introduced Video Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC), which is set to replace the current Video Games Tax Relief (VGTR). 

Qualifying Rules and eligibility

• Your company qualifies if it is liable to Corporation Tax and directly involved in the production and development of video games.
• The eligibility requirement for the VGEC will require a minimum of 10% of expenditure to be used or consumed in the UK.
• The video game is intended for supply, rather than for a marketing tool, for example.

The ‘Cultural Test’

• To qualify for VGTR or VGEC the video games must pass a cultural test with the BFI, certifying that the production is a British video game.

Key points

• The new games credit will have a rate of relief of 34% on 80% of ‘qualifying expenditure’.
• Expenditure made in the European Economic Area is no longer allowable qualifying expenditure.
• The £1m per game cap on subcontracting costs no longer applies.

Timeline

VGEC will be compulsory for games commencing development from 1 April 2025, while those who wish to do so, can adopt the new relief from January 2024. Any titles already in development prior to April 2025 can continue claim under VGTR until March 2027.

Other important information

• All claims, whether VGTR or VGEC will need to be required to be made digitally.
• The time limit for making a claim is to be changed to two years from the end of the period of account to which they relate. This is as opposed to 12 months from the statutory filing date.
• The government have introduced an anti-abuse measure on payments between connected parties to restrict qualifying expenditure.
• The government will legislate to prevent credits being paid out to companies that are undertakings in difficulty.

Full list of Guides

• Guide 9: Understanding your Accounts
• Guide 10: British Film Institute (BFI) certification
• Guide 11: Business Expenses
• Guide 12: Withholding Tax on overseas income
• Guide 13: Benefits of an Audit
• Guide 14: Video Games Expenditure Credit
• Guide 15: Taxation of Non-Cash Benefits for Employees and Directors in the Gaming Sector
• Guide 16: Management Accounts and Forecasting in the Gaming Sector
• Guide 17: Bookkeeping Software for the Gaming Sector 

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