I am advised by Revenue that prior to 2015 Section 481 Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997, operated by giving relief to individuals and companies investing in the film industry. The information in respect of the tax cost and number of investors who claimed relief under section 481 for the years 2004 to 2015 is available on the Revenue webpage at http://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/costs-expenditures.aspx.
With effect from 2015, the scheme provides direct support to film producer companies in the form of a tax credit. However, where an application was received up to and including 14 December 2014, it was processed under the previous scheme. Investors availing of the old scheme can choose the year in which to claim their relief. The number of companies claiming the tax credit and included in the tax expenditure information for 2014 and 2015 is 53 and 44 respectively.
Revenue analysis of applications made in respect of section 481 TCA 1997 indicate that 3,415 full-time equivalent jobs were created over 184 projects in 2015 and 2016. However, it should be noted that jobs created in the film industry are predominately of a short term nature.
The following are the number of companies granted relief during 2015, 2016 and 2017;
2015: 32 companies in respect of 43 films
2016: 54 companies in respect of 75 films
2017 (up to end of quarter 2): 31 companies in respect of 41 films
The information relating to the beneficiaries under the current scheme can be found at:
- 2015 beneficiaries: http://www.revenue.ie/en/companies-and-charities/documents/beneficiaries-tax-relief-2015.pdf
- 2016 beneficiaries: http://www.revenue.ie/en/companies-and-charities/documents/beneficiaries-tax-relief-2016.pdf
- 2017 (to Quarter 2) beneficiaries: http://www.revenue.ie/en/companies-and-charities/documents/beneficiaries-tax-relief-2017.pdf