Tax incentives in Cuba

Tax incentives in Cuba are a hoax. Recently I came across a website claiming to be the Cuba Film Commission, and also claiming a massive 40% CASH REBATE–ON EXPENSES INCURRED FOR FILM OR TELEVISION PROJECTS, this is nonsense.

Are there Film Tax Breaks and Incentives in Cuba?

No. Discover the truth about film tax incentives in Cuba. Despite claims of a 40% rebate, Cuba offers no official tax breaks for foreign productions. Learn how to navigate permits and work with trusted local production service companies.

Here is what they claim, and I’m paraphrasing:

🎬 Cuba Film Incentive Program

Cuba offers a 40% cash rebate on eligible local expenses for international film and television productions. This initiative supports creative projects while promoting Cuba as a vibrant filming destination.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be foreign production companies with fully funded projects
• Maintain industry-standard budgets
• Employ a balanced mix of Cuban and international crew
• Have at least one publicly released feature film in their portfolio

Note: Projects funded by foreign governments, public broadcasters, or supported through grants/loans are not eligible.

🎥 Accepted Project Types

• Feature Films
• Documentaries
• TV Dramas & Reality Shows
• Commercials

💰 Minimum Local Spend Requirements

📝 Application Process

Applications must be submitted before pre-production begins and include:

• Completed application form
• Signed production/co-production contracts
• Script and shooting schedule
• Budget breakdown with Cuban expenditures
• Operational plan with filming dates

📄 Approval & Reimbursement Steps

Once approved:

1. Receive Eligibility Certificate
2. Open a dedicated Cuban bank account
3. Transfer required funds before filming begins
4. Submit financial documentation and bank reports

After production:

• Submit a full expense report within 60 days
• Include invoices, receipts, contracts, bank statements, and an independent audit
• The Commission will review and issue payment within 30 days, if all criteria are met

⚠️ Incomplete or inaccurate submissions may result in denial of the rebate and termination of the agreement.

Clarification on Tax Breaks for Filming in Cuba

I have no idea where this came from. After calling every single Cuban official institution that has a say on film production in Cuba I could verify that this is an absolute bullshit claim.

The only way this is possible is because the person offering this is demanding international rates for Cuban Local Crew, and that is way below international rates, then they pay super low wages to the Cuban crew members. Add to this the 10-20% service fee in those large budgets and they can pretend that you get a tax insentive because of the HUGE profit margin they create for themselves.

Tax Incentives in Cuba. Getting It Right

If you want to have a proper shoot in Cuba, you should talk directly to a Cuban Production Service Company—locals, no middlemen. These people only raise your fees and add another layer of communication that creates space for mistakes and miscommunicated messages. There are no tax incentives in Cuba.

When working in Cuba, things need to be crystal clear. Government permits are ALWAYS required. No independent party can grant you permits. Every single fixer or production service company in Cuba must go through the government institutions responsible for issuing them.

Official Cuban Film Institutions

There are several institutions in Cuba that issue film permits. Here are the three we work with, depending on the project:

International Press Center (CPI-MINREX)

The International Press Center handles journalist visas and press credentials. We work with them for:

• Journalists
• Documentaries
• News coverage
• Breaking news
• Newspapers
• Documentary TV series
• Tax incentives in Cuba are not offered here.

Processing time: 3–6 weeks
Fees: Around $90 USD/Euro per person, plus approximately $60 USD/Euro for the press credential
Note: The press pass must be received in person in Havana at the International Press Center. On rare occasions, we can arrange to collect it in advance and deliver it to your location if you arrive outside Havana.

No tax incentives are offered by this institution.

Casa Productora de Telenovelas (CIS)

The Casa Productora de Telenovelas is a production house dedicated to creating original content for Cuban television. They also export content and collaborate with Cuban Production Service Companies to support permits and location access for:

• Feature films
• Commercials
• Scripted fiction projects
• Tax incentives in Cuba not offered here.

Permit processing time: 2–4 weeks, depending on project complexity
Visa process: Arrive with tourist visas, which are exchanged for working visas once in Cuba

No tax incentives are offered by this institution either.

Instituto Cubano de Arte e Industria Cinematográficos (ICAIC)

This is the ruling body of Cuban cinema. That said, it is neither the fastest nor the most efficient way to get your project moving forward in Cuba. Due to its size, it suffers from the bureaucracy typical of large institutions.

Permit costs with ICAIC are significantly higher, making it the most expensive and challenging option among the three institutions we work with. We try to avoid it and only go through ICAIC when required by Cuban authorities—which is rare.

This is the closest thing to a Film Commission in Cuba, but there is no legally defined Film Commission in the country. And of course, no tax incentives in Cuba are offered by this institution.

The name Film Commission Cuba is absolute bullshit!

Film Cuba Legally.

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