DACS Payback 2026

PAYBACK 2026 opens for claims on a date to be announced in mid-January 2026. DACS - originally the Design and Artists Copyright Society - distributes payments for, for example, copying of works by libraries to visual creators - including photographers and illustrators.

You will have one month to submit your “Part 1” or detailed “Publication History” claim for photos appearing in books and magazines and online equivalents. You will then have until April to submit your “Part 2” claim, giving general details and including TV programmes. It's explained here. Payments should arrive in early October.

If you are not registered with DACS, do it now at www.dacs.org.uk and to discover where the money comes from see www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/GeRigCol.html

DACS dacs.org.uk

Get paid for copying and lending how it works Freelance Fees Guide

Photography - Copyright Freelance Fees Guide

ALCS alcs.co.uk - equivalent payments for writers

Collecting societies pay for copying Freelance Fees Guide