Pennsylvania_Film_Production_Tax_Credit
The Pennsylvania Film Production Tax Credit is a tax credit program supporting the production of feature films and television programs in Pennsylvania. The tax credit was signed into law by Gov. Ed Rendell in July 2004.[1]
The tax credit for qualifying productions equals a 25% reduction in Personal Income Tax, Corporate Net Income, Capital Stock/Foreign Franchise Tax.[2] However, because most productions filming in Pennsylvania do not incur a tax liability in the state, the credits are fully transferable, which means they can be sold to a company or individual in the state who does have a tax liability. In order to qualify for the tax credit, the production must incur 60% of its total production expenses within Pennsylvania.[2] The credit also applies to individual television shows that are 15 minutes or longer and intended for a national audience.[1]
Watchdogs, including the Pennsylvania Common Cause criticized lobbyist Leslie McCombs for failing to properly register as a lobbyist for Lions Gate Entertainment while lobbying on behalf of the tax credit.[3]
A 2009 report from the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee in the Pennsylvania General Assembly found that the tax credit supported 4,000 jobs and produced $4.5 million between 2007 and 2008.[4]
During the 2009 Pennsylvania budget impasse, the tax credit was in danger of being repealed.[5] Instead, its total amount was reduced from $75 million to $42 million, with that number increasing to $60 million the next year.[5] The tax credit was expanded again during the state budget negotiations in summer 2016. $65 million will be available for fiscal year 2017-18.[6]
The tax credit brought the production of Zack and Miri Make a Porno, The Road, Shelter, Shannon's Rainbow, Sorority Row, and She's Out of My League to the Pittsburgh region in 2008 and 2009.[7] The majority of filming for I Am Number Four also took place in the greater Pittsburgh area in 2010 due to the tax credit.[8][9]
