Film & TV

The inward investment for high-end television and film reached a record £6.27bn in 2022. With its world-class entertainment industry, the UK is an increasingly popular filming location and there are generous film & TV tax reliefs, alongside other financial opportunities which we are helping UK and international productions to realise.

EMPOWERING TALENTED CREATIVES, GLOBAL FILM & TELEVISION

With over 35 years’ experience working in the creative world of entertainment, we are widely recognised as one of the top industry advisors in the UK and support a growing portfolio of film and television clients; from actors, producers and directors, to start-ups, independents, and national and international franchises.

Whether acting, producing, or directing, our film and TV clients are busy people. Many have US and international tax exposure and require specialist advice, along with all-round financial and business management support. This includes looking after their day-to-day finances and production accounting, tax and VAT compliance, as well as withholding taxes, royalties and audio-visual tax reliefs, including the Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) and the new Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC). It’s a highly personalised service which puts our clients’ needs at the very centre.

  • £553m

    The total amount of Film Tax Relief (FTR) paid out by HMRC in relation to the financial year 2022-2023

    Source: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). N.B. a HMRC update for 2023-2024 is due in summer 2025.
  • £1,107m

    The total amount of High-End Television Tax Relief (HETR) paid out by HMRC in relation to the financial year 2022-2023

    Source: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
  • 13%

    The percentage increase in the amount of HETR paid out by HMRC for the financial year 2022-2023 compared with the previous year

    Source: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

INTEGRAL TO CLIENTS' DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS

Our work is far more than statutory accounting and compliance. Many of our clients have multiple productions and we tend to be involved with each one from the start. We work as part of their production teams and are integral to day-to-day running and decision making, including setting up the right business structures and managing PAYE, VAT, FEU, advice on SEIS/EIS schemes, raising finance, and accessing all the available tax reliefs.

We have advised clients on Creative Industry Tax Reliefs (CITR) since they were first introduced in 2007. As well as early-stage appraisals for audio-visual tax reliefs, the AVEC and IFTC, we regularly advise clients on the most tax efficient production structures, managing all stages of their tax relief/credit claims with HMRC, ensuring they fulfill the relevant criteria and obtain the required British Film Institute (BFI) certification.

Over the years, we’ve become recognised as leading advisors on Creative Industry Tax Reliefs (CITR) and have influenced government policy changes in this highly specialist area; most recently with the reforms to audio-visual tax relief and the introduction of the AVEC and the Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC).    We also advise production investment companies looking to set up in the UK and are nominated specialists on CITR for bank panels and other financiers.

Related Services

We offer a highly personalised service which puts our film & TV clients at the very centre, from production accounting, business management and withholding taxes, to niche industry areas and specialist advice.

  • Withholding Tax: where we are now (part two)

    Touring for most acts today is a truly international operation, especially as more markets and regions open up. Careful and strategic planning around taxation – how much is due to be paid and in which countries – is essential. Steve Wren from SRLV explains the key principles and dos and don’ts of withholding tax, as well as highlighting the latest issues.

  • Withholding Tax: where we are now (part one)

    Touring for most acts today is a truly international operation, especially as more markets and regions open up. Careful and strategic planning around taxation – how much is due to be paid and in which countries – is essential. Steve Wren from SRLV explains the key principles and dos and don’ts of withholding tax, as well as highlighting the latest issues.

  • SRLV Partners are Newest Members of Exclusive Creative Network, Trusted Advisor

    We are pleased to announce that ten SRLV partners and staff are now members of Los Angeles-based Trusted Advisor - an international private membership group for music, entertainment and pro sport advisors.

  • Less Than One Month To Go For Graduate & Intern Applications

    There’s less than one month to go before applications for SRLV’s graduate and intern programmes for 2025 close. As one of the UK’s top three music & entertainment accountants, there aren’t many firms offering opportunities like this, and numbers are limited!

Insights

Latest News and Knowledge

Our views on the latest news, events and industry issues affecting our clients, both in the UK and worldwide.

Get in touch

Whether you have a particular financial issue to discuss, would like more information about our services or are interested in joining our team, please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.