Film Production Tax Credits

Our professional team works alongside various states’ representatives (including Departments of Revenue, Economic Development Authorities and Film Commissions) to develop and customize the third party independent CPA procedures for their respective film production incentive programs. As a result, we have specialized knowledge of accounting principles and practices applied in the film and television industry including audits and agreed upon procedures.

EisnerAmper’s team goes beyond simply providing the required independent CPA report, leveraging our extensive experience in the film production industry to best serve our clients. This is what distinguishes EisnerAmper in the marketplace:

• Client service approach aimed at adding value
• Timely turn-around to accelerate the receipt of your credit/incentive
• Established team of professionals serving our film clients
• Provided services on over 130 productions
• Engaged for a range of productions including feature films, television series, pilots, reality TV, commercials and documentaries
• Recognized industry experts frequently asked to consult with state officials on a formal and informal basis and to speak at various film events

To help production companies navigate the incentive program requirements, we often consult with budget executives, producers, production accountants and post-production accountants, as well as the production company’s legal counsel, investors and lenders. We also provide loan-out company consulting to assist with registration and withholding requirements. In addition, we offer income tax return compliance services and consulting on federal tax incentive (Internal Revenue Code Section 181), sales and use tax and payroll tax/fringe.

About Film Production Incentive Programs

Production companies consider several factors when choosing a location – availability of facilities and crew, location features, accessibility to services, etc. To compete with international incentives and make domestic production more attractive, various states have developed film production incentive programs.

Film production incentive programs offer production companies an incentive, such as a tax credit or rebate, based on their qualified production costs incurred in a particular state. In exchange for the film production incentive, the state boosts its economy through the creation of jobs and consumption of goods/services associated with the film project. Additionally, the state can leverage the real life backdrops of popular movies and the novelty of a film production shoot to increase tourism revenue.