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Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit (OFTTC)
ON, Canada
Tax credit for Ontario film and television content
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Tax Credits
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Ontario
- Ontario Creates
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Refundable tax credit of 35% to 40% on local Ontario labour costs related to the production of Canadian film and television content in Ontario.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
- Refundable tax credit calculated as 35% of eligible Ontario labour expenditures.
- Enhanced credit rate of 40% on the first $240,000 of qualifying labour expenditure available for first-time producers.
- 10% bonus for productions that occur entirely outside the Greater Toronto Area, or have a significant portion of location days outside of it.
- Eligible expenditures include reasonable Ontario labour costs incurred and paid within specific taxation periods.
- Net credit amount after deduction of any relevant taxes owing is paid to the qualifying corporation.
- Administration fee of 0.15% on eligible expenditures, minimum $500 and maximum $10,000 per application.
- Special COVID-19 extensions allow for extended claim periods and extended deadlines for meeting production and exhibition requirements.
- Payments on the credit may require repayment if eligibility status changes or if obligations are not fulfilled, such as the screen credit requirement.
grant_single_labels|projects
- Film and television productions made for theatrical distribution.
- Film and television productions made for television broadcast.
- Online film and television productions made available by alternative means such as streaming or video-on-demand.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 120,000
Creation of a children’s animated series focusing on environmental education
$ 96,000
TV series focused on Ontario's culinary traditions and local gastronomy
$ 100,000
Production of an educational TV series exploring Canadian social issues from an Ontario perspective
$ 180,000
Production of a sitcom focusing on the everyday life of a diverse Ontario community
$ 180,000
Feature film production depicting historical events during World War II in Ontario
$ 108,000
Production of a historical documentary series highlighting the indigenous heritage of Ontario
grant_single_labels|admissibility
- The applicant must be a Canadian corporation that is Canadian-controlled.
- The corporation must maintain a permanent establishment in Ontario.
- The corporation must file an Ontario corporate tax return.
- The production must have six Canadian content points unless it is an official treaty co-production.
- The production must spend at least 75% of its total final costs on Ontario expenditures.
- For productions where principal photography commenced before November 1, 2022, there must be an agreement with an Ontario-based, Canadian distributor or a CRTC-licensed broadcaster to show the production in Ontario within two years of completion.
- For productions where principal photography commenced on or after November 1, 2022, the production must be made for commercial exploitation through theatrical distribution, television broadcast, or alternative means, with the applicable exhibition agreement.
- The production must not be in an excluded genre such as news, current affairs, talk shows, game shows, sports shows, awards shows, fundraising shows, reality television, pornography, or advertising.
- The production must include a screen credit acknowledging Ontario tax credit support in the end credits, effective for productions starting principal photography after August 24, 2023.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit (OFTTC) is available to:- Canadian corporations that are Canadian-controlled and have a permanent establishment in Ontario.- Production companies that file an Ontario corporate tax return and are engaged in the creation of film and television productions.- Companies that focus on productions meeting the Canadian content regulations and invest primarily in Ontario-based projects for film or television production.- Eligible productions can include both theatrical releases and television broadcasts, including productions made for online platforms, provided certain criteria are met.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Companies that do not qualify as Canadian corporations or those not Canadian-controlled.
- Businesses without a permanent establishment in Ontario.
- Corporations that do not file an Ontario corporate tax return.
- Productions that belong to excluded genres such as news, talk shows, game shows, sports events, awards shows, fundraising shows, reality television, and advertising.
- Companies that primarily produce instructional content, reviews, educational curriculum content for children over the age of 12, music videos, and content primarily for esports, gaming, or gambling.
- Productions primarily consisting of user-generated footage or content previously released.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- Salaries and wages paid to Ontario residents.
- Remuneration paid to corporations that are personal service companies subject to Ontario tax for services rendered by Ontario residents.
- Remuneration paid to sole proprietors or freelancers who are subject to Ontario tax.
- Remuneration paid to partnerships for services provided by a partner subject to Ontario tax.
- Remuneration paid to taxable Canadian corporations with a permanent establishment in Ontario for services rendered by their employees who are Ontario residents.
- Reimbursements by a wholly-owned production company to its parent company for eligible labour expenditures paid by the parent on its behalf.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
- Ontario, Canada
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for the Ontario Film & Television Tax Credit (OFTTC) include:
- Eligibility of the production company as a Canadian corporation
- Suitability of the production for various distribution means
- Expenditure requirements related to Ontario spending
- Screen credit requirement adherence
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Register and Access Application Portal
- Create an account or log into the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP).
- Familiarize yourself with the portal’s features to begin an application.
- Step 2: Gather Required Documentation
- Collect all necessary documents such as incorporation articles, residency declarations, and financing agreements.
- Ensure you have the administration fee ready for payment.
- Step 3: Complete the Application for a Certificate of Eligibility
- Provide detailed information about the production in the OAP.
- Attach all required documents, including tax credit and CAVCO applications.
- Submit the application for review.
- Step 4: Obtain a Letter of Confirmation
- Ensure all production activities are completed.
- Submit the Letter of Confirmation application if a Certificate of Eligibility was obtained prior to completion.
- Provide any additional documentation requested to verify all eligibility criteria are satisfied.
- Step 5: Submit to CRA
- After receiving the Certificate of Eligibility, file it with your T2 Corporation Income Tax Return with the CRA.
- Follow up with the CRA for tax credit processing.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- A regional bonus of 10% is available to productions that occur entirely outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) or have substantial location days in Ontario outside the GTA.
- First-time producers can benefit from an enhanced credit rate of 40% on the first $240,000 of qualifying Ontario labour expenditures.
- Screen credit acknowledgment is mandatory for productions starting principal photography after August 24, 2023, including logos and specific text from the Province of Ontario and Ontario Creates.
- OFTTC also applies to productions released online, as well as those distributed theatrically or via television broadcast, meeting respective eligibility criteria.
- The tax credit is administered jointly by Ontario Creates and the Canada Revenue Agency, with eligibility certificates needed for claims.
grant_single_labels|contact
taxcredits@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6659
