Film, TV and Theatre

Most actors begin as self-employed sole traders, which is simple to manage and suits those with freelance or project-based work. However, once income increases — particularly from recurring roles, endorsements, or production work — a limited company may need to be considered as it could prove more tax-efficient and provide greater flexibility. We can help assess the best structure based on your income, contracts, and individual circumstances.

Actors can claim many allowable business expenses - and often some that would not have been previously considered.

We have the experience to proactively advise on potential deductible expenses and help ensure you navigate the grey areas of the tax system. This assists you in maximising your tax relief, whilst protecting you from HMRC challenges.

Many actors have diverse income streams — from acting, presenting, or voice work to royalties and residuals. All income must be declared, but how it is taxed can vary. We manage your accounts to ensure each source is correctly categorised, with proper records for deductions, tax credits, and foreign earnings.

If you earn money abroad — through filming, theatre tours, or international collaborations — double taxation agreements may allow you to avoid being taxed twice. We help ensure you claim the right reliefs and advise you on overseas tax filing requirements, keeping you compliant while protecting your income. We have a wealth of experience in A1 applications, Certificates of Residence and over tax applications to reduce withholding rates and avoid unnecessary social security.

Beyond filing tax returns, we can help you:

• Budget between projects, and manage irregular income and tax savings
• Optimise your business structure for tax efficiency
• Track allowable expenses and avoid HMRC penalties
• Access financial advice tailored to performers

We understand that acting careers are unpredictable — our job is to bring clarity and stability to your finances.

The Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) is a new UK tax relief. It allows qualifying film and TV productions to claim a payable tax credit based on UK core expenditure. The headline rate 34% for most productions and 39% for animation and children’s TV, offering a significant cash boost for eligible projects.

The Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC) is a new, enhanced relief introduced to support UK independent film production. It provides a higher headline rate of 53% tax credit on qualifying UK expenditure of up to £15m (for films with budgets under £23.5 million that meet independence criteria), designed to help smaller film productions compete and thrive.

To qualify, your company must be responsible for the production and completion of the film and TV programme, and must be UK-registered and subject to UK Corporation Tax. Projects must pass a cultural test or qualify as an official co-production, certified by the BFI (British Film Institute).

Both AVEC and IFTC simplify and modernise the old regime (Film, High-End TV, Animation, and Children’s TV Tax Reliefs). They convert those reliefs into a single, expenditure-based credit, making claims more consistent and transparent. The IFTC specifically targets smaller, independently financed films, offering higher support levels than under the previous Film Tax Relief.

Claiming these credits requires accurate cost tracking, cultural certification, and correct structuring of production companies. Our team assists with:

• Determining eligibility and managing BFI certification
• Preparing and submitting claims to HMRC
• Providing audit reports for the BFI - for Cultural Certification, Independent Film status and Co-production Treaty compliance
• Maximising your claim while keeping audit-ready records
• Advising on project financing and tax planning for future productions