British video game industry trade group UKIE announced today that it has signed a three-year deal with research & development tax credit firm Jumpstart, giving members access to the company's services at reduced rates. UKIE members will also be able to get free advice about how research and development tax credits benefit their businesses through an exclusive UKIE help line.
"I welcome this new partnership between UKIE and Jumpstart, not only as a UKIE board member but also as the MD of my own business Mastertronic," said UKIE chairman and MD Andy Payne.
"Mastertronic has recently worked with Jumpstart, to maximize our R&D tax break revenue and I personally recommend that all UKIE members make use of the excellent service that Jumpstart provide," he added.
Jumpstart employs tax specialists that are capable of identifying eligible projects for a proper R&D submission. The company works directly with the staff involved in development to ensure HMRC criteria for eligibility are met. The firm then does its best to secure a tax benefit for the developer in the form of a payable cash credit, a tax rebate, or an enhanced deduction that can be used against future profits.
Jumpstart says that it has a 98.6 percent record of success. The company also claims that it operates a "no-win, no-fee" policy for its services.
"The UK's games industry has proved time and again that it has world-beating potential, but support from government and government bodies have been lukewarm to say the least," said Jumpstart director Richard Edwards.
"We are delighted to have been invited on board by UKIE to help make a real difference to the finances of companies involved in the development effort which will take this vital sector forward. R&D tax credits are a notoriously complex area and it makes sense for directors to use the services of specialists, so that they can get on with what they are good at – which is making international blockbuster games."
Source: GameIndustry
