Tax Aspects of Movie Production Tax Incentives: “Lights, Camera, Action and Tax Cut!”

Movie Production Incentives (hereinafter “MPIs”) are tax benefits offered on a state-by-state basis throughout the United States to entice, as applicable, in-state qualified phases of filmmaking production such as the “Qualified Pre-Production Phase”; the “Qualified Production Phase” and the “Qualified Post-Production Phase”. The state-by-state legislative histories and policies driving MPIs are clearly aimed at increasing economic growth at the state and local levels through filmmaking and television production throughout the United States while curtailing the departure of movie production to other countries.

While the applicable Qualifying Production Activities (hereinafter “QPAs”) vary significantly from state-to-state many common QPAs include, but are not limited to, feature films, episodic television series, relocated television series, television pilots; television movies and miniseries. In contrast, as a caveat, many states generally consider the subsequent productions to be non-qualified production activities and consequently not eligible for MPIs such as documentaries; news programs; interview / talk programs; instructional videos; sports events; daytime soap operas; reality programs; commercials; and music videos. Additionally, the structure, type, and size of the incentives vary from state to state. Many MPIs may include tax credits, tax rebates and / or exemptions (e.g., sales and use tax exemptions, lodging exemptions, etc.) while other state incentive packages include cash grants, fee-free locations amongst many other diverse and advantageous incentives.

It should be duly noted that there are now nearly 40 states that offer MPIs with most being either transferable (e.g., transferable credits allow production companies that generate tax credits greater than their tax liability to sell those credits to other taxpayers, who then use them to reduce or eliminate their own tax liability) or refundable (e.g., refundable credits are such that the state will pay the production company the balance in excess of the qualified expenses).

It is critical to design and implement a sustainable methodology that will incorporate all applicable multi-state MPIs to properly tax effect the cost of filmmaking within the United States. As a direct result of these advantageous MPIs, the new expression in the entertainment industry will be – “Lights, Camera, Action and Tax Cut!”

For legislative updates from Capitol Hill and complete coverage of the latest statutory, administrative, and judicial interpretations please connect with Peter J. Scalise on TaxConnections.

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About the Author
Peter J. Scalise serves as the National Partner-in-Charge of the Federal Tax Credits and Incentives Practice at SAX CPAs LLP. Peter is a highly distinguished member of the Accounting Today Top 100 Influencers and has approximately thirty years of progressive Big 4 and Top 100 public accounting firm experience developing, managing, and leading large scale tax advisory practices on a regional, national, and global level.
Peter also serves as a passionate philanthropist and a member of several Boards of Directors and Boards of Advisors for local, regional, and national charities in connection with poverty and hunger alleviation; economic development; environmental conservation; health and social services; supporting veteran and military service personnel along with preserving arts and cultural programs.

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