British Columbia film tax incentive

What British Columbia actually pays

A credit that pays out in cash when it exceeds what you owe the state. Close to a rebate for most independent productions.

New to the mechanics? Tax credit vs rebate vs grant and What counts as qualified spend.

Uplifts

Rate bumps that stack on the base program, up to its published ceiling. Uplifts are the most commonly missed money in any program, because qualifying for one is usually a location or scheduling decision made long before anyone is thinking about submittal.

• FIBC Regional Uplift (+12.5%)

  QBCLE prorated by BC principal-photography days outside the designated Vancouver area divided by total BC PP days. Requires 5+ days outside the DVA and more than 50% of BC PP days outside.

  +12.5%

• FIBC Distant Location Uplift (+6%)

  QBCLE prorated by BC PP days in a prescribed distant area over total BC PP days. Requires Regional eligibility plus at least one distant day.

  +6%

• DAVE Uplift (Digital Animation, VFX & Post) (+16%)

  16% of BC labour directly attributable to digital animation, VFX or post-production, where the activity is primarily digital (>50%). Reaches the VFX/post labour line only, not the whole BC labour base. Available under both FIBC and PSTC.

  +16%

• PSTC Regional Uplift (+6%)

  Accredited QBCLE prorated by BC PP days outside the designated Vancouver area over total BC PP days. Same day tests as FIBC Regional.

  +6%

• PSTC Distant Location Uplift (+6%)

  Accredited QBCLE prorated by BC PP days in a prescribed distant area over total BC PP days. Requires PSTC Regional eligibility plus at least one distant day.

  +6%

• PSTC Major Production Uplift (+2%)

  2% of the sum of accredited QBCLE, only where accredited BC major production expenditure exceeds $200M. Post-completion only. Out of reach for independent productions.

  Minimum spend: Accredited BC major production expenditure above $200M

  +2%

Other state programs

Separate incentives British Columbia runs alongside the headline program. Each has its own base, rules and application — the rates here are the programs' own, not additions to the rate above.

• BC Production Services Tax Credit (PSTC)

  Basic 36% (PP after Dec 31, 2024; was 28%). +2% Major Production (BC spend > $200M); +6% Regional; +6% Distant Location; +16% DAVE (VFX/animation/post labour).

  Minimum spend: CAD $1,000,000 production cost (>30 min); $200,000/episode for series episodes >30 min; $100,000/episode ≤30 min (accredited-production thresholds)

  36%–66%

City, county & regional programs

Local incentives that can stack on top of the state program — but each defines its own qualified spend, caps and residency rules, so their rates can't simply be added to the state percentage. Worth a call before you count on one.

• Vancouver Clean Energy Permit Discount

  50% of the $1,300/day film permit fee AND the $2,000/day night surcharge, for replacing a 400A+ diesel generator with clean power.

  50%

• Vancouver Ultra-Low Impact Permit Discount

  85% of the $1,300/day permit fee for shoots under 15 crew.

  85%

• Metro Vancouver Regional District Clean Energy Discount

  $500 per day off regional district location fees, hard two-day cap, maximum $1,000 per production.

• Surrey Clean Energy Incentive

  $500 flat off the civic location fee for clean-power generation.

• Burnaby Clean Energy Initiative

  10% of a $100/day permit fee, so roughly $10 per day.

  10%

• Kamloops Small-Budget Permit Waiver

  Permit fee waived entirely where the production budget is $25,000 or less (Bylaw 35-96 Sch. A).

  100%

Common questions

What is the British Columbia film tax incentive rate?

British Columbia offers 40% on qualified in-state spend through the Film Incentive BC (FIBC). It is a refundable credit. A credit that pays out in cash when it exceeds what you owe the state. Close to a rebate for most independent productions.

What uplifts are available in British Columbia?

British Columbia offers 6 uplifts on its headline program: FIBC Regional Uplift (+12.5%), FIBC Distant Location Uplift (+6%), DAVE Uplift (Digital Animation, VFX & Post) (+16%), PSTC Regional Uplift (+6%), PSTC Distant Location Uplift (+6%), PSTC Major Production Uplift (+2%). Uplifts are usually decided by scheduling and location choices made months before submittal.

Are there city or county film incentives in British Columbia?

Yes — Vancouver Clean Energy Permit Discount, Vancouver Ultra-Low Impact Permit Discount, Metro Vancouver Regional District Clean Energy Discount, Surrey Clean Energy Incentive, Burnaby Clean Energy Initiative, Kamloops Small-Budget Permit Waiver. Local programs generally stack on top of the state incentive but define their own qualified spend, caps and rules, so their rates can't simply be added to the state percentage.

Is the British Columbia film incentive transferable or refundable?

Refundable — the excess over your state tax liability is paid out in cash.

Verify before you budget. These figures come from our own incentives database and each shows when it was last reviewed — but programs change between funding cycles and legislative sessions. Confirm with the film office, or ask us, before a number goes into a budget.