Cash Rebates for NZ Game Developers

If you’re developing digital games or game assets in Aotearoa, you don’t want to miss this valuable funding. The New Zealand Government has now launched the Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR) for NZ-based developers. The GDSR provides 20% rebates on all your eligible development costs spent since the 1st of April 2023. Applications are open, but you’ll need to move quick to claim for your first year.

What Can I Get Rebates for?

Many of your costs over the whole development life-cycle will qualify. From research and design to software development, engineering, writing, story, art, audio, production, deployment, hosting, marketing and more. You can claim for related wages and salaries paid, contractor payments, many other expenses, and even hardware and software depreciation. Later work on player research, quality improvements, post-launch content creation and cross-platform porting can also qualify.

Your game must be intended for public release and it can be for entertainment or educational purposes. Some exclusions apply.

How Do I Claim My Game Development Sector Rebates?

You must claim GDSR annually, at the end of every income tax year (1st April – 31st March). There’s a complicated series of steps to follow to access the rebate payment:

1. Business registration (eligibility tests)
2. Estimations of expense and development work (rules-based examination)
3. Receive a Letter of Acknowledgement from NZ On Air
4. Undertake a formal Statement of Readiness
5. Sign a witnessed statutory declaration
6. Prepare financial and accounting documents and required evidence
7. Final application
8. Processing, potential audits, and payments

Most importantly, your final application and supporting documentation must be completed within just a few weeks after the end of the tax year you are applying for. This means you will need to be well prepared to act quickly once the 31st March passes.

First Year Closing Soon!

If you want to claim for the year 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024, you need to complete your application by the 30th of April 2024. Get in touch today to make sure you don’t miss out.

How Can BlueRock’s Funding Specialists Help You Access the GDSR? Here's Our Process...

• Free consultation
• Strategic advice for accessing the funds
• Advice on the intersection of this program and R&D tax incentives
• Accurately estimate the benefits
• Prepare your registration documents
• Organise a Statement of Readiness
• Calculate your expenditure at EOFY
• Ensure you separate your ineligible costs to stay compliant
• Prepare your final application
• Prepare supporting accounting documentation
• Celebrate your success.