Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC), including the Independent Film Tax Credit
HM Revenue and Customs
Worth
No set amount
Tax relief
Deadline
Rolling - no fixed deadline
Type of funding
Tax relief
Where
UK-wide
What it is
A tax credit, not a grant: production companies making British-certified films, high-end TV, children's TV or animation get a taxable credit of 34% (39% for animation and children's TV, 53% for low-budget independent films) of qualifying spend, paid in cash if it exceeds their tax bill.
Checked 9 Nov 2026 on GOV.UK: production companies can claim a credit of 34% of qualifying costs on British-certified films and TV, 39% for animation and children's TV, and 53% for low-budget independent films; any credit left after tax is paid out. Returns filed from 6 April 2026 need the CT600P page.
Official sourceWho can apply
A summary of the main rules, not the full list. HM Revenue and Customs decides who is eligible, so read their guidance before you apply. The free scan checks these against your own business.
- A limited company paying Corporation Tax
- A creative business
- A film, TV or animation production company
Common questions
- Is Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC), including the Independent Film Tax Credit open for applications?
- Yes. It is open for applications, with no fixed deadline.
- How much is Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC), including the Independent Film Tax Credit worth?
- There is no single published figure: what you get depends on your project and the funder's assessment. It is a tax relief.
- Who runs Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC), including the Independent Film Tax Credit, and where is it available?
- HM Revenue and Customs runs it. It is available across the UK.
Does your business qualify?
Eligibility rules are where schemes get fiddly. Gov Owed checks your business against Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC), including the Independent Film Tax Credit — and every other UK scheme we track — in about two minutes, free. The £19.95 report then explains exactly why you qualify, drafts your answers and walks you through the real application step by step.
Check my businessNo sign-up to scan · keep 100% of anything you win · re-runs free for 12 months
Related schemes
Architectural Heritage Fund — Loans
The Architectural Heritage Fund
AWS Activate (cloud credits)
Amazon Web Services
BFI UK Global Screen Fund — Video Game Release
BFI (British Film Institute) / DCMS
Big Issue Invest — Impact Loans England
Big Issue Invest
Information, not financial advice; eligibility is decided by the funder. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Schemes change — confirm details on the official page before applying.