Manitoba announces increases to tax credits

April 9, 2008 – As part of its 2008 Provincial Budget, Manitoba announced enhancements to the Manitoba Film and Video Production Tax Credit.

In the budget reading, the following was announced:

• The Frequent Filming Bonus is increasing from 5% to 10%.  Production companies can qualify for this bonus by shooting three films in Manitoba within a two-year rolling period or by co-producing with a company that already has Frequent Filming Status;

• The non-resident deemed labour cap is increasing to 30% of  total actual Manitoba Labour Expenditures in order to continue to expand the crew base in Manitoba; and

• A Manitoba Producer Bonus is being introduced, providing productions with an extra 5% when a Manitoba resident receives credit as a Producer on a project.

Producers are now able to access a credit of up to 65% on Manitoba labour expenditures if, in addition to the base rate of 45%, they also qualify for the 10% Frequent Filming Bonus, the 5% Rural Bonus, and the 5% Manitoba Producer Bonus. 

British Columbia clarifies tax credit increase

UPDATED February 7, 2008 - The British Columbia government has matched Ontario's and Quebec's increase in the labour tax credits offered to foreign and domestic film and television producers.

On January 25, BC Finance Minister Carole Taylor announced that the Province would raise the basic Production Services Tax Credit rate from 18% to 25% and the basic Film Incentive BC tax credit rate from 30% to 35%.

BC’s Finance Ministry has since announced that instead of the new rates applying only to productions whose principal photography commences on or after January 1, 2008, the rates will instead apply to all eligible labour expenditures incurred after December 31, 2007.

For further details, click here

Enhancement to British Columbia regional tax credit

February 2008 – Distant location tax credits of 6% are now available in addition to the regional film tax credits for principal photography done on at least one day at a distant location in British Columbia.  The distant location tax credits will be provided for principal photography outside the designated Vancouver area, but only beyond Whistler to the north and beyond Hope to the east, and excluding the Capital Regional District (i.e. Victoria).  Regional, but not distant location, tax credits are available for principal photography done in the area that extends from the designated Vancouver area north up to and including Whistler, and east to include Hope. The distant location tax credits are in effect for productions with principal photography beginning after February 19, 2008.

The regional tax credit rates are 12.5% for the Regional Film and Television Tax Credit and 6% for the Regional Production Services Tax Credit.  The distant location tax credits will be an additional 6% for both the Regional Film and Television Tax Credit and the Regional Production Services Tax Credit.

British Columbia increases tax credits

January 25, 2008 - The British Columbia government has matched Ontario's and Quebec's increase in the labour tax credits offered to foreign and domestic film and television producers.

BC Finance Minister Carole Taylor announced today that the Province will raise the basic Production Services Tax Credit rate from 18% to 25% and the basic Film Incentive BC tax credit rate from 30% to 35%.

These rates will be in effect until January 1st, 2010 and will apply to productions whose principal photography commences on or after January 1, 2008.

For further details, click here.