The Ireland film industry receives tax credit from the government until the end of 2028. The approval of the recent tax credit increase came in late March earlier this year. This additional tax credit will assist in attracting more major global film and TV productions to Ireland.
Featured above is The Dark Hedges featured in Game of Thrones.
Ireland’s film and TV industry have been growing in recent years. According to figures released by Screen Ireland, investment rocketed in 2021 by 40%. Following European Commission approval to both the film tax credit project cap and the extension of the tax credit, the Minister of Finance (Michael McGrath TD) and the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Catherine Martin TD) made a public announcement that they welcomed the new amendments for the Ireland film industry.
Featured above is the set for Artemis Fowl filmed in Northern Ireland.
Increasing the film tax credit project cap on eligible expenditures is part of Section 481. Section 481 is a tax credit, incentivising film and TV in Ireland, administered by Ireland’s Department of Culture and the Revenue Commissioners. The section only applies to feature films, television dramas (singles or series), animations (excluding computer games) and creative documentaries. With the tax credit having a ‘per project’ of up to 32% of the lower of: all eligible expenditure, 80% of the total cost of production, or €125 million (now raised from €70 million). This allows for no annual cap or limit on the funding of the project.
Featured above is Skellig Michael, the filming location for two Star Wars movies.
The hope of raising the eligible expenditure is to attract high value productions to Ireland and enhance its reputation within the film and TV industry.
Minister Martin said:
“I welcome the news that the European Commission has agreed to the increase in the cap on the Irish film tax relief to €125 million and also to the extension of the relief to 2028. Section 481 is a key element in the Irish Screen Industry, incentivising the growth of the indigenous industry as well as attracting international producers to bring their productions to Ireland. Receipt of the tax relief is dependent on productions investing in upskilling and training that generates a highly skilled crew in the Irish Industry, thus increasing its ability to cater for high-quality international productions. There is no doubt that the incredible international success of Irish film, animation and TV drama over the past five years would not have happened without Section 481. The new level of the cap will help enable our screen industry to attract major global incoming film and TV productions that will continue to heighten Ireland’s reputation as a highly desired international location for film and television production.”
Featured above is the Cliffs of Moher, the filming location for The Princess Bride.
Providing an extension of the tax credit from its original end date of 31 December this year to 31 December 2028 can help support the development of the growing industry in that sector. The Irish government has been placing high value on international producers and major productions coming to Ireland to film. This will incentivise them over the next four years and will hopefully continue to grow the reputation of Ireland’s film and TV industry. The island is already a popular filming location for several recognised names including: Game of Thrones, Artemis Fowl, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Vikings, The Princess Bride, and P.S. I Love You.