Financing The SRED Credit And Film Animation Tax Credits In Canada

The Surprising Overlap Of Film and SR&ED Research Tax Credits – They’re Both Financeable





OVERVIEW – Information on financing the SRED ( SR&ED) Research Credit as well as film animation tax credits . These two refundable tax credits can be cash flowed for company / project financing

Film and animation tax credits in Canada, along with the SR&ED research credit have an interesting overlap. That overlap is... FINANCING.

Let's dig in.

Yes, there is no business like the tax credit business (as the song goes?!) And when it comes to financing these two programs there are some remarkable similarities... and benefits.

A tax credit in Canada can come in many forms .- they are essentially ' incentives ' that allow public policy in certain industries ( in our case ' research ' and ' film ' ) to provide a benefit that might otherwise not exist . And when those credits are' refundable ' in the form of real dollars the benefits truly kick in.

Let's first take a look at the SRED (‘SR&ED’) program. In place now for over 60 years in some form, it provides encouragement to business of any size to conduct research for business benefits. In Canada billions of dollars each year are sent to firms who participate in the program, and that reflects business of all sizes, including start ups by the way. Claimants in this program are approaching 20,000 firms annually by the way.

The spirit of the program is of course to allow firms such as yours to take products and services globally, enhancing Canada's reputation along the way. The major areas of expense recovery under your claim include labor, contractors, and overheads directly attributable to the R&D you are carrying on. Computer programming is often a large part of many claims and has helped make many software firms successful.

While a small number of firms choose to prepare their claim themselves the majority of the work done in Canada in SR&ED prep is done by SRED CONSULTANTS. It's their job to sort through areas of experiments, research, and to determine what’s eligible and what’s not, including summarizing that activity.

The area of ' FILM '

which includes movies, documentaries, television, and the hot new area of digital animation is the other large beneficiary of a tax credit. These credits attract producers and owners to Canada, and the credit has proven to create jobs and tax revenue, as well as an overall ' stimulus ' to Canada's reputation and economy.

When it comes to the financing puzzle of putting together a film project well over 35% of any project can be fully financed via film and animation tax credits.

When we talked about refundable ' SR&ED ' credits we covered the role of the SRED Consultant. When it comes to the film industry that role is shared by a ' Tax credit Accountant '. They maximize the percentage available to your project... allowing producers and owners to ensure maximum benefit is being taken into account under the program.

The programs, by the way, are a combo of federal and provincial incentives. Knowing what amounts are available from what province under which program is key!

We spoke of the ' overlap ' of these two seemingly different programs. But whether its the ' white coat' scientist in the lab or the movie producer shooting in the field or the digital engineer working on an animation project the bottom line is that refundable tax credits in each program are financeable !

Even more similarity exists in how the credits are financed, which are typically 75% loan to value, and being structured as a bridge loan with no payments. Financing can also potentially occur before the tax credit certificate and your financials have been filed.

If you're looking to monetize a ' SRED ' claim or a film , TV or transmedia digital tax credit seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can assist you in monetizing your claim for maximum benefit .




Stan Prokop - 7 Park Avenue Financial :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 90 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations . Info /Contact :

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL = CANADIAN TAX CREDIT FINANCING EXPERTISE




Have A Question /Comment On Our Blog Or Canadian Business Financing Alternatives ?
CONTACT:

7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653



Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing With The Intelligent Use Of Experience '

Stan Prokop

Film And Animation Project Finance - It’s A Mad Mad World Without Canadian Film Tax Credits

Finance Your Production tax credits for film, tv and animation in Canada . Here’s why!


Information on Canadian film tax credits. Utilize your film, animation and television tax credit to finance your projects successfully .




Film and Animation finance in Canada. What producer/project owner wouldn’t agree that it's a ' mad world ' when it comes to financing a project. That's exact where Canadian film tax credits enter from stage left - they play a key component in our overall financing strategy. Let's examine that a bit.

It's rarely a perfect world, but when on exists in film financing it’s a case of equity investors making a reasonable (or great?!) return on their original investment, and those mezzanine and gap type folks also achieving a solid return on principal and interest.

Does that always happen? Of course it doesnt. Sometimes things go awry or a final component to the film financing success puzzle is required. Quite often that final component consists of Canadian film tax credits, as well as those same credits that apply to the digital animation world - the newest and probably fastest rising kid on the block .

So how can the film tax credit and the financing of same become the OSCAR of film finance? We’re still waiting for the day when the film industry acknowledges an award for most creative use of a film tax credit - we do know though there are a lot of nominees out there.

When it comes to film and animation (and television) finance in Canada the tax credit is known as a ' soft dollar 'component of your financing package. Canada current has one of the most robust and easily accessible film/animation tax credits environments in the world, and is widely recognized for that.

Simply speaking anywhere from 30-50% of your overall budget can in fact be recovered by the tax credit. And the financing of those tax credits can play a starring role in your project. Why? Because they can cash flow the actual project itself, they can play a key role in the return on equity in your project, and finally, those dollars could in fact be used to help bankroll your next project. Talk about a triple whammy.

So how in fact to tax credits accomplish those key goals for the producer.? It's not as complicated as you think, they are not refundable government monies that come from the government jurisdictions that you chose to film, produce, and post produce in. When your tax credit certificate is accepted based on your budget and spend criteria that credit becomes cash for your project - and it can be monetized as you spend or at the end of the project.

So you can choose to simply wait to get your cheque from the government (it’s a combined federal and provincial amount) after your ' spend ' is verified and audited.

In the U.S. and elsewhere it’s a battlefield out there when it comes to ongoing availability of tax credit film incentives. However, in Canada there's a sense of ‘ business as usual ' normalcy when it comes to film tax credits for movies, TV, and animation projects .

Want to examine next steps ?Its all about discussing your overall financing plan and budget with a Canadian film tax financing expert in conjunction with your tax credit budget which is usually prepared by a qualified film tax credit accountant , thereby maximizing your return in any one of the Canadian provinces .

So yes, its a ' mad world ' when it comes to film finance - use your Canadian film tax credits to assist you in your overall plan of equity, debt, print and advertising, and gap financing . You just might find the Oscar goes to film tax credits for best supporting role. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor when it comes to film finance.

Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/canadian_film_tax_credits_finance_animation.html

The Real Truth On Canadian Film Tax Credit – Let Movie & Animation Financing Refund Loans Enhance Your Project

You already have the financing in place that it takes to make a winning film, animation, and TV project successful - you just might not know it.

We're talking about the Canadian film tax credit system, and why movie and animation refund financing of your tax credit can be the last piece of the puzzle in your Canadian production, or U.S./Canadian co -production.

The reality is, and of course we're sorry (kind of ...) that more and more U.S. regions are eliminating or downsizing the film and animation tax credits that can often make or break your projects final success. In fact, using Hollywood California as an example, as at June 2011 the state has in fact used up all their tax credits for the remainder of the year! No wonder why U.S. and of course Canadian producers and owners realize the Canadian system is still committed to job creation and support of the industry.

Ours has never been to debate the merits of the Canadian film tax credit (animation and TV included of course)... Ours has been to promote it and ensure our clients are using it. In Canada , aka Hollywood North the tax credits are viewed in all provinces as great economic and tourism development, and, as we said , we're not arguing!

In Canada the film, TV, movie and animation credits can generally get up to 40% of your project financed. That of course leaves the other 60% up to you, but what a great head start!

Although most producers and owners think of the Canadian film tax credit in terms of movies/ film etc. the Digital media area is probably growing the quickest. 6 of Canada's ten provinces already have a separate special digital media tax credit in place.

B.C. has a very strong and growing animation environment (could that be because of its proximity to California?!) and provides 17 1/2% credit to your total labour cost on any project.

While most U.S. and Canadian producers always tend to think in terms of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver as major film and production and animation centres the reality is currently that the most lucrative digital tax credit is out of Nova Scotia. They have a very simple formula, 50% of expenditures that qualify under the legislation, or 25% of your total budget. Your tax credit accountant and Canadian business financing advisor can assist you in maximizing what works best for your project.

Quebec also increased and broadened its tax credits, with 25% of all expenditures qualifying for a Canadian film tax credit refund. When you compliment this with the federal Productions Services tax credit an additional 16% of financing becomes available.

Naturally there are all sorts of nuances in maximizing and qualifying for your tax credits. Producers should in general always set up a special purpose entity and typically should own the copyright or content.

Your tax credits in Canada can be financed, either through traditional sources, or independent firms specializing in this type of financing, also at the same time usually helping you maximize the credits. Financing is available on a ‘when completed ' basis, or, often more desirable, on an accrual basis as you start to spend on your project. Bottom line: Cash flow and working capital for your project.

So, as we said your challenge is equity, debt, gap pre -sales, etc. But let tax credits be the final component to your projects success.

If you choose you could creatively carve out the tax credit from your overall finance plan and enhance the equity position, of simply finance the credit refund on its own. Use your tax credit to either attract an investor, or as a stand alone component.

When you want the real truth and current dynamics of the Canadian film tax credit and refinancing strategies speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor.

P.S. Mr. Demille - we're ready for our (tax credit) close up!

The Real Truth On Canadian Film Tax Credit – Let Movie & Animation Financing Refund Loans Enhance Your Project

You already have the financing in place that it takes to make a winning film, animation, and TV project successful - you just might not know it.

We're talking about the Canadian film tax credit system, and why movie and animation refund financing of your tax credit can be the last piece of the puzzle in your Canadian production, or U.S./Canadian co -production.

The reality is, and of course we're sorry (kind of ...) that more and more U.S. regions are eliminating or downsizing the film and animation tax credits that can often make or break your projects final success. In fact, using Hollywood California as an example, as at June 2011 the state has in fact used up all their tax credits for the remainder of the year! No wonder why U.S. and of course Canadian producers and owners realize the Canadian system is still committed to job creation and support of the industry.

Ours has never been to debate the merits of the Canadian film tax credit (animation and TV included of course)... Ours has been to promote it and ensure our clients are using it. In Canada , aka Hollywood North the tax credits are viewed in all provinces as great economic and tourism development, and, as we said , we're not arguing!

In Canada the film, TV, movie and animation credits can generally get up to 40% of your project financed. That of course leaves the other 60% up to you, but what a great head start!

Although most producers and owners think of the Canadian film tax credit in terms of movies/ film etc. the Digital media area is probably growing the quickest. 6 of Canada's ten provinces already have a separate special digital media tax credit in place.

B.C. has a very strong and growing animation environment (could that be because of its proximity to California?!) and provides 17 1/2% credit to your total labour cost on any project.

While most U.S. and Canadian producers always tend to think in terms of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver as major film and production and animation centres the reality is currently that the most lucrative digital tax credit is out of Nova Scotia. They have a very simple formula, 50% of expenditures that qualify under the legislation, or 25% of your total budget. Your tax credit accountant and Canadian business financing advisor can assist you in maximizing what works best for your project.

Quebec also increased and broadened its tax credits, with 25% of all expenditures qualifying for a Canadian film tax credit refund. When you compliment this with the federal Productions Services tax credit an additional 16% of financing becomes available.

Naturally there are all sorts of nuances in maximizing and qualifying for your tax credits. Producers should in general always set up a special purpose entity and typically should own the copyright or content.

Your tax credits in Canada can be financed, either through traditional sources, or independent firms specializing in this type of financing, also at the same time usually helping you maximize the credits. Financing is available on a ‘when completed ' basis, or, often more desirable, on an accrual basis as you start to spend on your project. Bottom line: Cash flow and working capital for your project.

So, as we said your challenge is equity, debt, gap pre -sales, etc. But let tax credits be the final component to your projects success.

If you choose you could creatively carve out the tax credit from your overall finance plan and enhance the equity position, of simply finance the credit refund on its own. Use your tax credit to either attract an investor, or as a stand alone component.

When you want the real truth and current dynamics of the Canadian film tax credit and refinancing strategies speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor.

P.S. Mr. Demille - we're ready for our (tax credit) close up!





Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.comOriginating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/canadian_film_tax_credit_movie_animation_refund.html