Plain English Tax Credit Financing – Film to SRED
OVERVIEW – .Information on financing government tax credits in Canada . SRED, film and digital media projects are 100% financeable when it comes to federal and provincial non refundable programs claims
Government tax credits.
While many view SRED (SR&ED), Film, Animation and other non refundable tax credits as the proverbial cash grab we try hard not to weigh in too much on the merits or non merits around this area of the ' public purse'.What we do weigh in on though is the fact that numerous types of tax credits are 100% financeable in Canada, so whether its a SRED manufacturing
or software credit, or a film TV or animation project we want to ensure Canadian business owners, producers , etc understand that tax credits can be ' cash flowed '! Let's dig in.The SRED program has been around a long time - it has undergone fairly significant changes recently but still is relatively intact, and, as we said financeable, as always, in the same manner. While the focus of the government is to ensure that SRED claims aid in the technological advancement of Canadian business owners and managers simply want to stay competitive, grow their company, and know they can, if needed, finance their tax credits.
Somewhere between 3-4 Billion dollars each year are claimed by companies who, either on their own, or with the aid of a SR&ED consultant file claims.
When you finance a SRED claim it does not have to have final approval Vis a Vis a final audit, etc. We do hasten to add though that while a claim prepared by yourself is financeable, typically more weight is provided when it is prepared by a professional.
The other area of government tax credits in Canada that are quite popular, and oh so non related, is the credits that are available in the FILM, TV, and DIGITAL MEDIA/ANIMATION industry.
These credits can help to provide total financing for projects pretty well up to the 40% range. While SRED claims focus on inventing or improving a process or a product the media credits tend to simply be in projects that inform or entertain. It is interesting to note in some cases that a film//TV/animation project might also have a SR&ED claim attached to it. Talk about a double whammy.Clients are often asking what is in fact eligible spend on the media type projects. Its things like salaries and wages, tangible expenditures, service contracts, etc.
Canadian tax credits compete with American and European jurisdictions who in fact offer similar programs. It’s quite acknowledged that the Canadian tax credits are in fact the best, certainly they seem to have proven to be most reliable. For certain media tax credits you require a pre approval certificate from the government and key personnel, i.e. the producer for example should be a Canadian citizen.
Tax credits don't have to be a complex area when it comes to financing. If you have a good SRED consultant, or a solid Canadian tax credit budget a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor can assist you in cash flowing your non refundable credits into working capital for your company or project. Don’t be ‘ underly financed’!
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 10 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 :
7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL = CANADIAN TAX CREDIT FINANCING
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
Stan Prokop
