Chapter 4: Video Game Losses
211.New section 1217D (2) sets out definitions used later in the section.
212.New section 1217DA(1) to (2) provide for a restriction to losses arising in while a video game is in development to the extent that they may only be carried forward to be set against profits of the separate video games trade in a subsequent period.
213.New section 1217DB (1) applies the section to the accounting period when a qualifying video game is completed or abandoned and to any subsequent accounting periods, if the trade continues.
214.New section 1217DB(2) provides that any trading loss carried forward under section 45 Corporation Tax Act 2010 from a pre-completion accounting period may be treated as a loss, for the purposes of loss relief, of the accounting period into which it is carried forward. This is subject to the restriction in new section 1217DB (3).
215.New section 1217DB(3) restricts the amount of any loss available to be set sideways against other profits of the same, or an earlier period, and to be surrendered as group relief to the amount that is not attributable to video games tax relief (see subsection (6)).
216.New section 1217DB(4) to (5) explain how the amount of loss that may either be deducted from total profits or surrendered as group relief will be restricted to the amount not attributable to video games tax relief.
217.New section 1217DB (6) explains how the loss for video games tax relief is calculated. This loss is the amount of the total loss less the amount of loss there would have been without the additional deduction under Chapter 3.
218.New section 1217DB (7) provides that 1217DB does not apply to losses carried forward or surrendered under new section 1217DC (terminal losses).
219.New section 1217DC(1) provides that this section applies when a video games development company ceases to carry on a separate trade in relation to the video game and has an amount of loss that remains to be carried forward (a terminal loss).
220.New section1217DC(2) and (3) provide that where a video games development company with a terminal loss carries on a another trade in relation to another qualifying video game it can, by election, treat such a loss as being a loss brought forward in the next accounting period following the cessation.
221.New section 1217DC(4) to (6) provide for the situation where a company with a terminal loss is in a group relationship with another company at the time of the cessation and that other company is a video games development company in relation to another qualifying video game. The company with the terminal loss may surrender this loss to another video games development company within the same group provided that company makes a claim for the loss.
222.New section 1217DC (7) provides that HM Treasury may, by regulations make adaptations or such modifications as appear to be appropriate to this section.
223.New section 1217DC (8) defines a ‘qualifying video game’.
