Section 481 works as a corporation tax credit for an Irish producer company, but it behaves like a rebate. If the credit is bigger than the company's tax bill for the period, Revenue pays the excess in cash. The claimant is a producer company, resident in Ireland or in another EEA state with an Irish branch or agency, that owns all the shares in a separate qualifying company making the film. It can't be a broadcaster or a streamer, and it has to stay in the business of producing films for 12 months after the film is completed.
The three-way test that sets your base
The credit is 32% of whichever of these is lowest:
- Eligible expenditure: spend in Ireland on cast and crew, labour-only services, and certain goods, services, and facilities
- 80% of the total cost of production, which includes worldwide spend
- €125 million, for projects certified on or after 28 March 2024
The minimums are low. Total cost of production has to be at least €250,000 and eligible expenditure at least €125,000.
Running a €1,000,000 and a €5,000,000 film
A €1,000,000 feature spends €700,000 on eligible Irish costs:
- 80% of total cost: €1,000,000 x 0.80 = €800,000
- Eligible expenditure: €700,000
- Lowest figure: €700,000
- Standard credit: €700,000 x 0.32 = €224,000
- With the Scéal Uplift: €700,000 x 0.40 = €280,000
A €5,000,000 feature spends €3,500,000 in Ireland:
- 80% of total cost: €4,000,000
- Lowest figure: €3,500,000
- Standard credit: €3,500,000 x 0.32 = €1,120,000
- With the Scéal Uplift: €3,500,000 x 0.40 = €1,400,000
On both films eligible spend is lower than 80% of cost, so every extra euro moved into Ireland (a post house in Dublin instead of London, say) raises the credit. That's a question for the line producer before the post schedule is locked.
Who gets 40%
The Scéal Uplift, introduced by Finance Act 2024, applies to films certified on or after 20 May 2025. A film must meet three conditions:
- It is a feature or feature-length animated film intended for theatrical release, shown to paying audiences at an Irish cinema for at least five days. Evidence of that intent goes in the finance plan with the certificate application.
- At least one key creative role is held by an Irish or EEA national or ordinary resident. For live action that means the director, screenwriter, editor, cinematographer, production designer, or composer.
- Qualifying expenditure on the completed film is under €20 million.
The 40% is calculated on the lowest of eligible expenditure, 80% of total cost, or €20 million. It can only be claimed on completion. A producer can still draw an interim claim at 32% during production and then top up to 40% after delivery.
Certificate, claim, and cash flow
- Before the film starts, the producer company applies to the Minister for a cultural certificate. Ask for the Scéal Uplift in that application if you want it. The certificate is the Irish version of a cultural test.
- File claims through the Revenue Online Service. You can claim up to 90% of the credit on budgeted spend during production, or wait and claim in full.
- Make the balancing claim within six months of completion, with the supporting documents Revenue requires.
- Revenue offsets the credit against the company's tax and pays out the rest.
The 90% interim claim is what makes Section 481 bankable. Budget the remaining 10% as money that arrives after delivery.
Watch-outs
The regional uplift is gone. Older finance plans that assumed 37% for shooting in assisted regions need to be rebuilt at 32%.
Revenue publishes the name of every beneficiary company, the film, and the credit amount in bands, as EU State aid transparency rules require. Tell financiers and talent before the certificate application goes in.
The scheme covers projects certified up to 31 December 2028. A film certified after that date needs the scheme to be extended.
On an official co-production, work out early which partner hires which heads of department, since one Irish or EEA key creative is what unlocks the Scéal Uplift. The co-production treaty entry covers how those deals are structured, and our cultural test guide covers the certification side.
Ireland against the UK and France
The United Kingdom pays 34% under AVEC and 53% for independent films under £15 million, but the UK credit is taxed, so the net figures are 25.5% and 39.75%. France offers 30% to international productions, 40% with more than €2 million of French VFX, capped at €30 million per project. See all the options on the incentives hub or read about why productions shoot overseas.