Best State Film & TV Tax Incentives
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Several U.S. states offer attractive tax incentives for film and TV production, making them popular destinations for filmmakers. Here’s a look at some of the top states with the best incentives as of 2023:
1. Georgia
• Incentives: Up to 30% tax credit.
• Details: Georgia offers a 20% tax credit on qualified production expenditures, with an additional 10% for including the state logo in the finished product. There’s no cap or minimum spend requirement.
• Why it’s popular: Atlanta and surrounding areas have become major hubs for film production, with a wide variety of locations and a strong local talent pool.
2. New Mexico
• Incentives: Up to 35% refundable tax credit.
• Details: New Mexico offers a base tax credit of 25% on direct production expenditures, with an extra 5% for TV series that shoot at least six episodes and an additional 5% for shooting in rural areas.
• Why it’s popular: The state has a long history of film production, beautiful landscapes, and modern facilities like Albuquerque Studios.
3. California
• Incentives: Up to 25% tax credit.
• Details: California’s program offers a tax credit of 20%–25% for various types of productions, including independent films, TV series, and relocating TV shows. There are additional incentives for shooting outside of the Los Angeles zone.
• Why it’s popular: The hub of Hollywood provides access to experienced crew, post-production facilities, and a large talent pool.
4. Louisiana
• Incentives: Up to 40% tax credit.
• Details: Louisiana offers a 25% tax credit on qualified expenditures and an additional 15% for Louisiana residents hired for the project.
• Why it’s popular: Known as “Hollywood South,” the state offers diverse locations, a rich film history, and one of the most competitive incentives.
5. New York
• Incentives: Up to 30% tax credit.
• Details: New York offers a base 25% tax credit with an additional 5% for post-production. There are also extra benefits for productions that shoot in upstate New York.
• Why it’s popular: New York offers a combination of urban and rural locations, and the financial incentives are particularly appealing for productions requiring complex post-production work.
6. Pennsylvania
• Incentives: Up to 25% tax credit.
• Details: Pennsylvania offers a 25% tax credit for productions spending 60% of their budget in the state. There is also an additional 5% available for productions that shoot in certain rural or urban areas.
• Why it’s popular: The state has both urban landscapes (like Philadelphia) and scenic rural locations, making it versatile for different production needs.
7. Oklahoma
• Incentives: Up to 38% cash rebate.
• Details: Oklahoma provides a base 20% rebate, with additional bonuses for hiring local crew, shooting in rural areas, and filming multiple projects within the state.
• Why it’s popular: Oklahoma has seen an increase in production, offering a mix of historical and modern landscapes along with competitive incentives.
8. Massachusetts
• Incentives: Up to 25% tax credit.
• Details: The state offers a 25% payroll credit and 25% production credit for projects that spend more than $50,000. The credit is fully refundable and transferable.
• Why it’s popular: With diverse locations and proximity to New York, Massachusetts is an attractive choice for both major studios and indie filmmakers.
9. Texas
• Incentives: Up to 22.5% cash grant.
• Details: Texas offers a grant ranging from 5% to 22.5%, depending on the level of in-state spending, local crew hire, and rural shooting locations.
• Why it’s popular: Texas boasts major cities like Austin and Dallas, a range of landscapes, and a growing reputation for TV and film production.
10. Hawaii
• Incentives: Up to 25%–30% tax credit.
• Details: Hawaii offers a 20% tax credit on Oahu and 25% on neighboring islands. Productions can also receive an additional 5% if they meet certain criteria like hiring locally.
• Why it’s popular: Stunning tropical scenery and robust incentives make Hawaii ideal for certain types of productions.
Each state has different requirements, caps, and incentives that can make a big difference depending on the type and size of the production. Many states also offer additional incentives for hiring local crew, shooting in rural areas, or working with local post-production facilities.