CAVCO fee update

Summary#

The Minister of Canadian Heritage has revised fees for services run by the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO). The updated fees take effect on March 31, 2022 under the Department of Canadian Heritage Act and in line with the Service Fees Act.

What it does#

• Updates fees for the two main tax-credit certification services administered by CAVCO:
  • Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC) certificates:
    • Part A (production certificate): 0.15% of eligible production cost.
    • Part B (certificate of completion): 0.15% of eligible production cost.
    • Part A/B together (single application): 0.30% of eligible production cost (minimum: $208.06).
    • Amended certificate: $312.10.
    • Certified copy: $100.
  • Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit (PSTC) certificates:
    • Accreditation certificate: $5,201.77.
    • Amended certificate: $1,040.35.
    • Certified copy: $100.
• Notes on adjustments and exemptions:
  • The percentage-based application fees (the 0.15%, 0.30%, etc.) are exempt from the annual fee adjustment because they scale with a production’s eligible costs (they “self‑adjust” for inflation).
  • The $100 certified-copy fee is exempt from the annual adjustment as a “low-materiality fee.”

Who's affected#

• Producers, production companies and their accountants who apply for:
  • CPTC certificates (Part A and Part B).
  • PSTC accreditation or certificates.
• People who request amended certificates or certified copies.
• It is mostly the Canadian film and television production industry. If this notice is unclear for your situation, contact CAVCO (contact details below).

Why it matters#

• Producers should update budgets to reflect the new fixed fees (for example, accreditation at $5,201.77, or an amended CPTC certificate at $312.10).
• Percentage fees stay tied to a production’s eligible costs, so small and large productions will continue to pay in proportion to their budgets.
• The minimum of $208.06 for a combined Part A/B application is important for lower-budget projects to note.
• Questions or comments can be directed to CAVCO by phone at 1‑888‑433‑2200 or by email at bcpac-cavco@pch.gc.ca.