Just in: UK extends tax breaks to orchestras
mainWe don’t know yet exactly how it will work but George Osborne has announced that orchestras can now claim the same benefits that were given to theatres in the spring.
This should mean 25 percent tax relief on tour performances and 20 percent on home.
It won’t save Ulster or any other orchs in trouble, but it will ease bottom line pressures on working ensembles.
Pleased that orchestras are at least on the Chancellor’s radar. Can’t always be sure.
Thanks are due to the Association of British Orchestras for making sure Osborne’s radar was tuned in.
Osborne’s one of the few cabinet ministers in recent years who’s been known to attend performances at Covent Garden; one suspects that orchestras are rather more on his radar than many of his predecessors’.
This is slightly less of a done deal than initial reports suggested — http://www.classicalmusicmagazine.org/2014/12/autumn-statement-includes-nod-towards-orchestras-but-no-commitment/
I think we can be confident that a tax break for orchestras will happen. It has plenty of momentum, the Chancellor’s personal backing, and theatre tax relief also went out to consultation before implementation.
“The government will also launch a formal consultation in early 2015 about introducing a new tax relief for orchestras from April 2016, in recognition of their cultural value and artistic importance.” said the Chancellor. Nevertheless, Mark is right, so fingers crossed….