British orchestras are to benefit from a new tax relief for player fees, rehearsal costs and venue hire, the government has announced.
George Osborne, chancellor of the exchequer, announced the tax relief, which is expected to be implemented in April 2016 and impact more than 175 orchestras across the UK.
According to the authorities, this new legislation will provide a tax deduction on expenditure including venue hire, rehearsal space and player fees among other costs.
George Osborne said: ‘As part of the government’s long term economic plan, we are backing our creative industries. The UK is home to world-famous orchestras that make a great cultural contribution across all parts of our country, and are engaged by millions of people.
‘I want to make sure our great orchestras continue to thrive. Our new tax relief will encourage orchestras to perform across the whole of the UK – helping secure the future of live performances in the UK.’
Figures quoted by the government show that in 2012-13 orchestras played to 4.5 million people in the UK in over 3,500 performances and toured in 35 countries.
They also played over 10,000 community performances for 600,000 people, half of whom were children or young people.
Orchestras’ income from ticket sales and hires fell by 11 percent, in real terms from 2009-10 to 2012-13 although audiences continue to grow.
George Osborne, chancellor of the exchequer, announced the tax relief, which is expected to be implemented in April 2016 and impact more than 175 orchestras across the UK.
According to the authorities, this new legislation will provide a tax deduction on expenditure including venue hire, rehearsal space and player fees among other costs.
George Osborne said: ‘As part of the government’s long term economic plan, we are backing our creative industries. The UK is home to world-famous orchestras that make a great cultural contribution across all parts of our country, and are engaged by millions of people.
‘I want to make sure our great orchestras continue to thrive. Our new tax relief will encourage orchestras to perform across the whole of the UK – helping secure the future of live performances in the UK.’
Figures quoted by the government show that in 2012-13 orchestras played to 4.5 million people in the UK in over 3,500 performances and toured in 35 countries.
They also played over 10,000 community performances for 600,000 people, half of whom were children or young people.
Orchestras’ income from ticket sales and hires fell by 11 percent, in real terms from 2009-10 to 2012-13 although audiences continue to grow.
