Massive Concern After Raising Taxes in Movie Industry in Cambodia

Phnom Penh- On 25^th October, a workshop has been hosted by Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts under the theme, “ Implementing 5-points measure to improving Cambodian art and movie industry”, with the participation of H.E., Phoeung Sakona, the Minister of Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and movie producers.

The significant point of the workshop included 5-points measure, one of which is to collect tax from movie industry, which brings many concerns and disappointment to movie producers and could result in declining movie sector in Cambodia.

During the meeting, many difficulties have been raised due to incapability to pay high tax to the government. In addition, there is also a request for reducing the tax; however, it immediately was rejected by the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts.

There are 11 ways for movie productions to pay tax:

• 10% from purchasing ticket
• 1% after sharing revenue with cinema and producer
• 10% from production’s revenue monthly
• Annual VAT
• 15% withholding tax
• Tax on leasing office
• 10% from full-time casts whose salary is above USD300
• 10% from movie director, artists, and team
• 15% from spending on casts
• 10% for shooting place and material rents.

According to public perspective, Tax issue and challenges could become strong factor that can push many movie productions to close as the result of the incapableness to the massive amount of taxes. Many suggestion were raised to the government in order to find the way to facilitate the role of movie sector in Cambodia, especially for future development.

The significant point of the workshop included 5-points measure, one of which is to collect tax from movie industry.