The Digital Gaming Tax Credit offers companies developing digital games a tax credit of up to 32% per qualifying game.
This credit can be claimed by the company on an annual basis or at the conclusion of the game development effort. This new tax credit regime is subject to European state aid approval prior to coming into effect.
Who can claim the credit?
This credit is available to companies who are resident in Ireland, or who are EEA resident and operate in Ireland through a branch or agency.
What type of game qualifies?
The first thing that should be considered is whether the company is developing a qualifying 'digital game'. This is defined as a game that integrates digital technology, can be published on an electronic medium, is interactive/built on an interactive software and incorporates at least three of the below:
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Expenditure on the design, production and testing of the digital game should be considered allowable for the purpose of this tax credit.
Development effort must be certified
Before a company can avail of this new tax credit, there is a requirement to attain certification from the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
When deciding whether to grant a certificate, consideration will be given to areas including:
Certification types
Information regarding the timeline of the application process for the cultural certificate from the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has yet to be confirmed. Given the similarities between this tax credit and the Section 481 Film Corporation Tax Credit, it is notable that with the Film tax credit, application for the cultural certificate must be filed no later than 21 days prior to the commencement of the bulk of the film production.
Use of the credit
Where a company has been issued with an interim certificate, the credit can be claimed within twelve months of the end of the accounting period in which the expenditure is incurred.
For example, if a company’s year-end is 31st December 2022, then a claim relating to the expenditure from 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022 must be made by 31st December 2023.
If a company has been issued with a final certificate, then they may make a final claim, less any amounts already received under the interim certificate, and provided the overall credit amount does not exceed €8,000,000.
The Digital Gaming Tax Credit must first be used to offset any corporation tax liability that the company has for that accounting period. In the event that there is no corporation tax liability or if the credit exceeds the corporation tax liability, then the company may claim the excess in the form of a cash refund.
Documentation
When availing of the Digital Gaming Tax Credit, a company must maintain sufficient records of their expenditure and activities in order that the Revenue Commissioners can validate same. This detail should focus on whether and how the expenditure relates to design, production or testing and the stage of development when the expenditure is incurred.
In line with other similar tax credit regimes, it is expected that Revenue guidance will issue in due course setting out more details on their expectations regarding the nature of documentation.
Who cannot avail of the credit?
There are specific exclusions set out as part of the Digital Gaming Tax Credit legislation. A company cannot avail of this tax credit if:
Mark O'Sullivan