Production Commencement Time (PCT)

Is the earlier of

(a) Commencement of principal photography

OR

(b) The latest of :

  1. First script labour expenses
  2. Rights acquisition
  3. 2 years before commencement of principal photography

Which Rules Apply?

  • New Rules

    1. PCT on Nov 14, 2003 or later
    2. PCT before Nov 14, 2003 and first labour expenditures incurred
      on Jan 1, 2004 or later


  • Election

    1. PCT before Nov 14, 2003 and first labour expenditures incurred in corporate fiscal year that includes Nov 14, 2003


  • Old Rules

    1. PCT before Nov 14, 2003 and first labour expenditures incurred in corporate fiscal year that ends before Nov 14, 2003

Production Commencement Time = PCT
First Labour Expenditure = FLE

Announcement Date

Note: The earliest period that the retroactive election provisions cover is from Nov 15 / 02 to Nov 14 / 03. The latest period is from Nov 14 / 03 to Dec 31 / 03. The election must be filed with CCRA within 180 days from a claimants FYE that includes the date the legislation is passed. For example, if the date of royal assent of the legislation is Jan 1 / 05 and the claimants FYE starts on that date, the latest date in which an election can be made is 180 days after the year-end of Dec 31 / 05, which is June 30 / 06.