Value of video games tax relief claims in 2015-16 exceeds £45m

Video games developers in the UK claimed tax relief worth more than £45m in 2015-16 according to statistics released by HMRC.

The figures show that since 2014 there have been 135 claims for video games tax relief supporting UK expenditure of £417m. In 2015-16 relief of £45m was paid in response to 130 claims.

In total 515 video games have applied for certification to be eligible to claim this relief of which 180 were granted final certification and 255 given interim certification. The other applications are still pending have failed or been withdrawn.

Richard Heap a partner at RSM who specialises in technology media and telecommunications said: ‘The video games sector is making an important contribution to the UK economy and the government has been keen to support developers to tap into this lucrative market.’

According to trade...