Data, Methods and Limits

Transparency

Data, methods and limits.

Every figure our free tools use, where it came from, when we retrieved it, and how far we would trust it. Plus the things we deliberately do not publish, because we could not find a source we could stand behind.

How we grade

Confidence is assigned by source type, not by feel

A number's grade depends on who published it, not on how sure we are. That keeps the judgement out of it — we cannot talk ourselves into upgrading something because it would be convenient.

The register

Every number, with its receipt

Nothing appears in a tool unless it is in this table. If you find something on our site that is not listed here, it is a mistake and we would like to know.

What we removed

Things we will not publish a number for

Each of these was in an earlier version of a tool. We took them out because no source we could verify supports them. Where a tool still needs the figure, it now asks you rather than filling one in.

Limits of use

What these tools are, and are not

Please read before relying on anything here

  1. These tools are informational, and free. They are not tax, legal, accounting, engineering, insurance or investment advice, and using them creates no professional or advisory relationship. Several topics we cover — your business tax classification, whether work qualifies as research, how worker-classification tests apply to your crew — are judgement calls that require a qualified professional who knows your situation.
  2. Nothing here is a quote or an offer. AnimationTech prices shown are current list rates for illustration. A binding quote comes from us in writing, for your specific configuration and term. Third-party prices are not offers from those parties, and we have no authority to make them.
  3. Third-party figures belong to their publishers. We link every one. We have not audited them, we do not control them, and they can change or be withdrawn without notice to us. Retrieval dates are shown so you can judge staleness yourself.
  4. Estimates are estimates. Real costs depend on things these tools do not model — your lease terms, your utility's demand profile, your pipeline, your negotiated discounts, tenant improvement, permits, taxes and freight. Two studios with identical inputs will not spend identical money.
  5. Provided as is. We make no warranty, express or implied, as to accuracy, completeness, currency or fitness for any purpose, and we disclaim liability for decisions made in reliance on these tools to the fullest extent the law allows. Verify independently before you commit money.
  6. Tax and regulatory figures move. Everything on the tax page reflects rules as we found them on the stated date. Federal law changed materially in July 2025, California declined to follow it, and two credits lapsed at the end of 2025. Anything you read here could be superseded between our review dates.
  7. Tell us when we are wrong. If a figure is stale, misattributed or simply incorrect, email info@animationtech.tv and we will correct it and note the change. That is a standing commitment, not a formality.
A note on this page itself. This wording was drafted by us, not by a lawyer, and it has not been reviewed by counsel. Before these tools go live on animationtech.tv, have an attorney review this section — publishing tax and cost guidance for free still carries exposure, and the protection you want is a real limitation-of-liability clause written for California, not our best guess at one.