Quick answer
A UK corporation tax credit for qualifying video games development costs, replacing Video Games Tax Relief. UK corporation tax credit for qualifying expenditure on the production of video games. Replaces Video Games Tax Relief for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2024. It is aimed at UK video games developers on culturally British qualifying titles. Eligibility typically requires UK video games development companies meeting the cultural test. Application: Claimed via the Company Tax
Advisor summary
Video Games Expenditure Credit is a tax incentive. UK corporation tax credit for qualifying expenditure on the production of video games. Replaces Video Games Tax Relief for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2024. Based on the published criteria, Video Games Expenditure Credit is most relevant to any businesses; organisations working in Creative Industries, Technology & Software; applicants based in United Kingdom. It typically supports activities aligned with Innovation & R&D, Creative Industries — applications that demonstrate a clear, evidenced link to one of these objectives tend to score better against the published assessment framework. Eligibility focus: UK video games development companies meeting the cultural test. Before applying, confirm the scheme is currently open on the official source page — funding amounts, deadlines and round-by-round priorities for Video Games Expenditure Credit can change between calls.
Key takeaways
- Funding type: tax incentive.
- Target stage: any.
- Geographic coverage: United Kingdom.
- Aligned to objectives such as Innovation & R&D, Creative Industries.
- Industry relevance: Creative Industries, Technology & Software.
- Always validate live eligibility and timing on the official source before applying.
Who this is for
Video Games Expenditure Credit is most relevant to: - any businesses that match the published stage definition - organisations operating in Creative Industries, Technology & Software - applicants based in United Kingdom - teams whose planned activity advances Innovation & R&D or Creative Industries - organisations that can evidence eligibility, deliverability and value-for-money against the scheme's published criteria Use the eligibility section above to validate fit before applying.
Real-world use cases
- Innovation & R&D projects seeking tax incentive support consistent with the published scope of Video Games Expenditure Credit.
- Creative Industries projects seeking tax incentive support consistent with the published scope of Video Games Expenditure Credit.
- Creative Industries businesses where the planned activity matches the eligible activity list and can be delivered within the scheme's reporting window.
- Technology & Software businesses where the planned activity matches the eligible activity list and can be delivered within the scheme's reporting window.
- Projects delivered in United Kingdom where the applicant is registered and trading in the eligible geography.
What to prepare
- Read the official guidance end-to-end and note every mandatory criterion.
- Confirm the current round is open and check the live deadline on the official source.
- Pull recent management accounts and statutory financials covering the requested period.
- Draft a clear project description: problem, approach, milestones, outputs.
- Prepare a defensible budget that ties each cost line to a project milestone.
- Identify and brief any partners, suppliers or supporting referees in advance.
- Leave time for internal review and sign-off before submission.
- Capture the assumptions behind any quantitative claims (jobs created, emissions saved, additional R&D spend) so they can be defended at assessment.
Common mistakes
- Treating the application as a marketing exercise rather than evidencing eligibility against the published criteria.
- Submitting without independently verifying the live deadline and current call status on the official source page.
- Underestimating the time required to gather match-funding evidence and supporting letters.
- Vague project descriptions that fail to spell out outputs, milestones and a credible delivery plan.
- Weak budget breakdowns that mix capital and revenue costs without justification.
- Failing to make the connection to Innovation & R&D explicit — assessors should not have to infer how Video Games Expenditure Credit fits the project.
Why applications get rejected
- Project falls outside the published scope, theme or eligible activities.
- Applicant organisation type or location is not eligible under the call.
- Insufficient evidence of match funding or co-investment where required.
- Project plan, milestones or budget lack the detail assessors need to score against the criteria.
- Limited evidence of impact, additionality or value for money.
- Applicant or project location does not satisfy the geographic eligibility for Video Games Expenditure Credit (United Kingdom).
Alternative funding routes
- Consider related tax_incentive routes such as Kent and Medway Growth Hub, Tees Valley Investment Zone Business Support, Innovate UK Innovation Loans — see the Related grants section for direct links.
- Use side-by-side comparisons such as AVEC vs VGEC and Innovate UK Innovation Loans vs R&D Tax Relief to weigh Video Games Expenditure Credit against the closest alternatives before committing.
- The decision guides Should I claim R&D Tax Relief or apply for a grant? and When should a company move from grants to investment? walk through the trade-offs in plain English.
- Schemes targeting Innovation & R&D from other providers may offer complementary or fallback coverage if Video Games Expenditure Credit is not a fit this round.
- Look across funding types — grants, loans, equity and tax reliefs often combine for larger projects.
Typical funding journey
- 1Discovery — confirm the scheme is open and you fit the published scope.
- 2Eligibility check — work through the criteria honestly and gather evidence of fit.
- 3Scoping — define the project, outputs, milestones and a defensible budget.
- 4Documentation — assemble financials, letters of support and any required quotes.
- 5Submission — complete the official application form against the assessor criteria.
- 6Assessment — respond promptly to clarification requests during review.
- 7Decision and grant agreement — accept the offer and meet pre-payment conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible to apply for Video Games Expenditure Credit?
Video Games Expenditure Credit is aimed at businesses across most stages. It is available to applicants in United Kingdom. Industry focus areas include Creative Industries, Technology & Software. Always confirm the live eligibility criteria on the official source page before applying — eligibility rules can change between rounds.
What does Video Games Expenditure Credit fund?
As a funding scheme, Video Games Expenditure Credit typically supports activities consistent with its published objectives (Innovation & R&D, Creative Industries). Specific eligible costs and project types are defined in the scheme's published guidance — review the official source page for the current list.
How competitive is Video Games Expenditure Credit?
Published competitiveness figures vary by round and are not always disclosed. Treat any scheme with limited published cost as competitive: prepare as if you were one of many strong applicants, and lean on the assessment criteria when building your application.
What preparation is needed before applying to Video Games Expenditure Credit?
Start by reading the official guidance end-to-end and mapping your project against each assessment criterion. Pull together core supporting evidence early — typically organisation details, recent financials, a clear project description, milestones and a budget. Leave time for internal review and, where relevant, partner or advisor sign-off before submission.
What documents are usually required for Video Games Expenditure Credit?
Most schemes ask for organisation details, recent financial information, a project description with milestones, and a budget breakdown. Always check the official source page for the definitive document list for the current round.
What alternatives exist if Video Games Expenditure Credit is not a fit?
The Alternative Routes section above lists related funding paths. As a general rule, look for schemes targeting the same objective or stage from different providers, and consider blending sources (for example combining a grant with a loan or equity) where the project size warrants it.
How do you apply for Video Games Expenditure Credit?
Application routing is set out on the official source page linked above — confirm the current round is open before starting an application.
When should you start preparing for Video Games Expenditure Credit?
Treat preparation as a multi-week process for most schemes. Begin gathering financials, project documentation and supporting evidence as soon as you decide to apply — leaving preparation to the final week typically shows in the quality of the application.
What happens after you apply to Video Games Expenditure Credit?
Applications are typically logged, screened for eligibility, then assessed against the published criteria. Be ready to respond quickly to clarification requests during review, and keep contact details up to date so decision notifications are not missed.
Can Video Games Expenditure Credit be combined with other funding or support?
Most schemes can be combined with other support, but disclosure rules and subsidy limits often apply. Read the scheme's published rules on combined funding before committing — the answer changes case-by-case.
What should applicants do before applying to Video Games Expenditure Credit?
Validate that Video Games Expenditure Credit is genuinely the best fit — the Alternative Routes section above lists other options worth comparing first. Re-read the official guidance and map your project, organisation and budget to each scoring criterion. Walk through the Eligibility section line by line and gather evidence for every requirement. Speak to anyone in your network who has been through this scheme recently — round-by-round priorities and assessor focus shift.
What makes a strong application to Video Games Expenditure Credit?
Strong Video Games Expenditure Credit applications evidence fit against every published criterion rather than restating the project's ambition. Use concrete numbers, dated milestones and named partners wherever possible — assessors reward specificity. Make the link to Innovation & R&D and Creative Industries explicit; do not leave assessors to infer it.
When might another funding route be more suitable than Video Games Expenditure Credit?
If the published scope, timing or eligibility rules do not match cleanly, check the Pathways section for routes designed around your objective. See the Alternative Routes section above for specific suggestions.
What happens after Video Games Expenditure Credit is awarded?
Funded organisations typically sign a grant or facility agreement that sets out drawdown conditions, reporting cadence and any claw-back triggers. Plan for periodic progress reports, evidence of spend and — for larger awards — independent monitoring or audit.
How should organisations prepare supporting evidence for Video Games Expenditure Credit?
Gather evidence in the order assessors will read it: organisation legitimacy first, then eligibility, then project fit, then budget and impact. Even where a document list is not published, prepare financials, a project plan with milestones, and budget evidence as a baseline. Where claims are quantitative (job creation, emissions reduction, additional R&D spend), document the assumption behind each number.
Read end-to-end by a FundingAtlas editor against the official source.
Funding amount
Varies
Region
United Kingdom
Stage
Any stage
Provider
HMRC
Advisor summary
Video Games Expenditure Credit is a tax incentive. UK corporation tax credit for qualifying expenditure on the production of video games. Replaces Video Games Tax Relief for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2024. Based on the published criteria, Video Games Expenditure Credit is most relevant to any businesses; organisations working in Creative Industries, Technology & Software; applicants based in United Kingdom. It typically supports activities aligned with Innovation & R&D, Creative Industries — applications that demonstrate a clear, evidenced link to one of these objectives tend to score better against the published assessment framework. Eligibility focus: UK video games development companies meeting the cultural test. Before applying, confirm the scheme is currently open on the official source page — funding amounts, deadlines and round-by-round priorities for Video Games Expenditure Credit can change between calls.
Key takeaways
- Funding type: tax incentive.
- Target stage: any.
- Geographic coverage: United Kingdom.
- Aligned to objectives such as Innovation & R&D, Creative Industries.
- Industry relevance: Creative Industries, Technology & Software.
- Always validate live eligibility and timing on the official source before applying.
Who this is for
Video Games Expenditure Credit is most relevant to: - any businesses that match the published stage definition - organisations operating in Creative Industries, Technology & Software - applicants based in United Kingdom - teams whose planned activity advances Innovation & R&D or Creative Industries - organisations that can evidence eligibility, deliverability and value-for-money against the scheme's published criteria Use the eligibility section above to validate fit before applying.
What to prepare before applying
- 1
Read the official guidance end-to-end and note every mandatory criterion.
- 2
Confirm the current round is open and check the live deadline on the official source.
- 3
Pull recent management accounts and statutory financials covering the requested period.
- 4
Draft a clear project description: problem, approach, milestones, outputs.
- 5
Prepare a defensible budget that ties each cost line to a project milestone.
- 6
Identify and brief any partners, suppliers or supporting referees in advance.
- 7
Leave time for internal review and sign-off before submission.
- 8
Capture the assumptions behind any quantitative claims (jobs created, emissions saved, additional R&D spend) so they can be defended at assessment.
Common mistakes
Treating the application as a marketing exercise rather than evidencing eligibility against the published criteria.
Submitting without independently verifying the live deadline and current call status on the official source page.
Underestimating the time required to gather match-funding evidence and supporting letters.
Vague project descriptions that fail to spell out outputs, milestones and a credible delivery plan.
Weak budget breakdowns that mix capital and revenue costs without justification.
Failing to make the connection to Innovation & R&D explicit — assessors should not have to infer how Video Games Expenditure Credit fits the project.
Common rejection reasons
Project falls outside the published scope, theme or eligible activities.
Applicant organisation type or location is not eligible under the call.
Insufficient evidence of match funding or co-investment where required.
Project plan, milestones or budget lack the detail assessors need to score against the criteria.
Limited evidence of impact, additionality or value for money.
Applicant or project location does not satisfy the geographic eligibility for Video Games Expenditure Credit (United Kingdom).
Alternative funding routes
Consider related tax_incentive routes such as Kent and Medway Growth Hub, Tees Valley Investment Zone Business Support, Innovate UK Innovation Loans — see the Related grants section for direct links.
Use side-by-side comparisons such as AVEC vs VGEC and Innovate UK Innovation Loans vs R&D Tax Relief to weigh Video Games Expenditure Credit against the closest alternatives before committing.
The decision guides Should I claim R&D Tax Relief or apply for a grant? and When should a company move from grants to investment? walk through the trade-offs in plain English.
Schemes targeting Innovation & R&D from other providers may offer complementary or fallback coverage if Video Games Expenditure Credit is not a fit this round.
Look across funding types — grants, loans, equity and tax reliefs often combine for larger projects.
Advisor view
This is a UK creative-sector relief — value comes from disciplined production accounting and cultural certification, not from clever structuring. Get the BFI/certification track moving early.
Usually too early when
Advisor signal
You have no qualifying UK production company, no certification application planned, or you cannot evidence the cultural test and core expenditure thresholds.
Eligibility
UK video games development companies meeting the cultural test.
Evidence you'll need
BFI cultural test certificate, qualifying expenditure breakdown.
Application timeline
Claimed via the Company Tax Return.
Common reasons applications fail
No cultural test certificate, expenditure not qualifying.
What improves your odds
A production accountant who has filed similar claims, on-time interim certification, and a chart of accounts that separates core expenditure from non-qualifying spend.
Typical successful applicant
A UK production company with a defined project, BFI certification in progress, and finance teams that understand the cultural test and qualifying-cost rules.
Common misconceptions
It is not a grant — it is a corporation tax credit available only to the qualifying production company. Chain-of-title decides who can actually claim.
What happens next
Credit applied via Company Tax Return or paid as cash credit when loss-making.
What comes next
Submit certified accounts with the CT600, retain production records, and plan how the credit flows into your cash forecast.
Funding context
Sits alongside BFI funding, Arts Council support, broadcaster commissions and equity investment. The relief is one piece of a wider financing plan.
Eligibility Quick Check
A cautious, rules-based check using only the criteria already published for this programme. Not a guarantee — always verify against the official source.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is eligible to apply for Video Games Expenditure Credit?
- Video Games Expenditure Credit is aimed at businesses across most stages. It is available to applicants in United Kingdom. Industry focus areas include Creative Industries, Technology & Software. Always confirm the live eligibility criteria on the official source page before applying — eligibility rules can change between rounds.
- What does Video Games Expenditure Credit fund?
- As a funding scheme, Video Games Expenditure Credit typically supports activities consistent with its published objectives (Innovation & R&D, Creative Industries). Specific eligible costs and project types are defined in the scheme's published guidance — review the official source page for the current list.
- How competitive is Video Games Expenditure Credit?
- Published competitiveness figures vary by round and are not always disclosed. Treat any scheme with limited published cost as competitive: prepare as if you were one of many strong applicants, and lean on the assessment criteria when building your application.
- What preparation is needed before applying to Video Games Expenditure Credit?
- Start by reading the official guidance end-to-end and mapping your project against each assessment criterion. Pull together core supporting evidence early — typically organisation details, recent financials, a clear project description, milestones and a budget. Leave time for internal review and, where relevant, partner or advisor sign-off before submission.
- What documents are usually required for Video Games Expenditure Credit?
- Most schemes ask for organisation details, recent financial information, a project description with milestones, and a budget breakdown. Always check the official source page for the definitive document list for the current round.
- What alternatives exist if Video Games Expenditure Credit is not a fit?
- The Alternative Routes section above lists related funding paths. As a general rule, look for schemes targeting the same objective or stage from different providers, and consider blending sources (for example combining a grant with a loan or equity) where the project size warrants it.
- How do you apply for Video Games Expenditure Credit?
- Application routing is set out on the official source page linked above — confirm the current round is open before starting an application.
- When should you start preparing for Video Games Expenditure Credit?
- Treat preparation as a multi-week process for most schemes. Begin gathering financials, project documentation and supporting evidence as soon as you decide to apply — leaving preparation to the final week typically shows in the quality of the application.
- What happens after you apply to Video Games Expenditure Credit?
- Applications are typically logged, screened for eligibility, then assessed against the published criteria. Be ready to respond quickly to clarification requests during review, and keep contact details up to date so decision notifications are not missed.
- Can Video Games Expenditure Credit be combined with other funding or support?
- Most schemes can be combined with other support, but disclosure rules and subsidy limits often apply. Read the scheme's published rules on combined funding before committing — the answer changes case-by-case.
- What should applicants do before applying to Video Games Expenditure Credit?
- Validate that Video Games Expenditure Credit is genuinely the best fit — the Alternative Routes section above lists other options worth comparing first. Re-read the official guidance and map your project, organisation and budget to each scoring criterion. Walk through the Eligibility section line by line and gather evidence for every requirement. Speak to anyone in your network who has been through this scheme recently — round-by-round priorities and assessor focus shift.
- What makes a strong application to Video Games Expenditure Credit?
- Strong Video Games Expenditure Credit applications evidence fit against every published criterion rather than restating the project's ambition. Use concrete numbers, dated milestones and named partners wherever possible — assessors reward specificity. Make the link to Innovation & R&D and Creative Industries explicit; do not leave assessors to infer it.
- When might another funding route be more suitable than Video Games Expenditure Credit?
- If the published scope, timing or eligibility rules do not match cleanly, check the Pathways section for routes designed around your objective. See the Alternative Routes section above for specific suggestions.
- What happens after Video Games Expenditure Credit is awarded?
- Funded organisations typically sign a grant or facility agreement that sets out drawdown conditions, reporting cadence and any claw-back triggers. Plan for periodic progress reports, evidence of spend and — for larger awards — independent monitoring or audit.
- How should organisations prepare supporting evidence for Video Games Expenditure Credit?
- Gather evidence in the order assessors will read it: organisation legitimacy first, then eligibility, then project fit, then budget and impact. Even where a document list is not published, prepare financials, a project plan with milestones, and budget evidence as a baseline. Where claims are quantitative (job creation, emissions reduction, additional R&D spend), document the assumption behind each number.
Related routes
Industries
Objectives
Regions
Current-guidance warning
This programme operates on round-based or annually refreshed criteria. Always confirm live eligibility, caps and deadlines on the official source before applying.