The most common CT600 forms that are used today are the CT600A (for loans from the company to the director), the CT600C (which are for group relief claims between companies), the CT600E (which are for charities), and the CT600L (which are for research and development claims). However, HMRC have been thinking of introducing a new form, known as the CT600P, which discloses creative tax credit claims, instead of including them within the main CT600 return form.
What are creative tax credit claims?
Creative tax credits were introduced for businesses who are in the creative industry, whether you are a production company for film or music, an art gallery or museum, or even an orchestra. These credits allow these companies to claim an additional tax relief by either offering enhanced expenditure, which will allow them to reduce any corporation tax that is due, or by actually paying out a tax credit to the company, which will help offer relief for expenses paid.
The relief is only available if a company is liable to corporation tax, and they are directly involved in the production of film, television, animation, video games, theatrical productions, orchestral concerts, or museum and gallery exhibitions. Companies must be actively engaged in the production, planning, and decision making of these projects to become eligible. In addition to these requirements, there are also additional criteria that a company must meet, which is specific to its sector - so it is best to double check that you are eligible before making a claim.
Additional Information Forms:
As well as checking your eligibility and making the claim within the CT600 return, or supplementary form, itself, companies must also complete and submit an additional information form, also knows as an AIF. This form must be submitted directly to HMRC first, before you submit the claim in the CT600 return.
The additional information claim for creative industry tax relief must be made within two years from the end of your company’s accounting period, or 42 months from the beginning of your accounting period (if you are filing for an extended period), and it has to be submitted by either a representative of the company or an agent acting on behalf of the company. As well as the company information (such as the name, company number, UTR number, etc.), you will need to provide evidence about each production or project. This will include when the project began, the current status, any relevant locations for filming or venues, the core costs of the project (if claiming tax relief) as well global expenses (if making a credit claim), and any transactions with connected parties that are related to the project. Furthermore, depending on whether you are claiming a reduction in corporation tax, or claiming a tax credit pay out, you will also need to add the amount of losses you are surrendering and how much credit you are claiming, where necessary. Once this form has been submitted, you can complete the claim in the CT600P creative tax form.
When is the CT600P form being introduced?
The CT600P form was initially planned for release in April 2025, however due to issues with HMRC’s online system, it was postponed to spring this year instead. Now, all creative tax credit claims that are made from the 6th April 2026 and onwards must be made through the CT600P form, rather than through the standard CT600 return.
The intention of the new form is to replace the current need to manually calculate and input the figures into the CT600 return for your creative tax relief or claim, as it will introduce a new standardised format which will make it more efficient for HMRC to review claims. We will be introducing the CT600P from mid May 2026
In the meantime, if you are claiming a creative tax credit, you simply need to complete boxes 540 and 885 - you can find all the relevant sections by switching box 112 to Yes in the CT600 Sections tab within the CT600 Return form in our software.
If you are interested in learning more about creative tax credit claims, how to make them through our software, and whether your company is eligible, then you can check out our article ‘Creative Tax Credits - what are they and when does it change?’ from our Knowledge Base.
