May 26, 2012

Washington State Increases Tax Incentives

by Nora Murphy | Published April 21, 2009

Washington's Mt. Rainier

Following in the footsteps of the recent film incentives in Arkansas, Washington State now too has incentives to lure moviemakers to their large state. On April 15th, governor Christine Gregoire signed the SBH 2042 bill, which increases the Motion Picture Competitiveness program tax incentive from 20 to 30 percent.

The increase to a 30 percent production tax incentive makes Washington State more competitive as a filming location and promises to bring significant economic development to the state in the form of immediate job creation and production spending in the local economy.

The incentive is targeting productions in the $2 million to $15 million range. At this budget level, productions will hire Washington’s local cast and crew, as well as rent equipment from local vendors rather than fly equipment and crew in from California. This allows for production spending to be done in-state.

“For every industry, Washington must do what it can to attract new business and create new jobs,” says Gregoire. “Along with Washington’s beautiful locations, this legislation ensures our state is providing the right business environment that’s appealing to producers and directors.”

The bill was passed in part thanks to WashingtonFilmWorks (WFW), a non-profit organization that manages the state’s film program. Since its launch in 2007, WFW has assisted in bringing 22 productions to the state including 11 features, four movies of the week and seven commercials. WFW raises $3.5 million each year, which is used to give incentives to qualified productions.

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Comment by Online Tax Refunds on 1/08/10 at 12:13 am: buy property and use alternative energies?I know in certain parts of the USA using alternative energies can be a tax write off and there are other incentives. What is Canada like in this respect.
Online Tax Refunds
Comment by Nan on 3/27/10 at 11:36 pm: Great job in passing a higher film incentive! I have been in Vancouver BC with my husband for almost 10 years while he is working on film projects brought here by US producers. We are from the US. and hope to have him work on US soil again one day.
The producers are flying right over WA and spending their money in Vancouver. The locals working on productions that are brought to Vancouver by US producers are making fantastic money while the people from the US are losing their jobs. It is all because of the Canadian tax incentives and that the producers do not have to pay Health insurance in Canada.
Yea Washington!!! Keep up the fight for our US workers!!! Hope to see you there soon!
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Comment by imwilliam on 10/13/11 at 8:07 am: It is great news for the local community that this tax incentive is going to create job opportunities in the state. But the while working they should be aware of their incentives, as well as other benefits, insurance coverages such as Florida workers compensation insurance; this would help them in the long run.
Comment by Church of God a Worldwide Association on 11/16/11 at 1:18 pm: How will the new laws impact non-profits like Cogwa
Comment by qqsvwzl on 12/23/11 at 8:53 pm: Great job in passing a higher film incentive! I have been in Vancouver BC with my husband for almost 10 years while he is working on film projects brought here by US producers. We are from the US. and hope to have him work on US soil again one day.
The producers are flying right over WA and spending their money in Vancouver. The locals working on productions that are brought to Vancouver by US producers are making fantastic money while the people from the US are losing their jobs. It is all because of the Canadian tax incentives and that the producers do not have to pay Health insurance in Canada.
Yea Washington!!! Keep up the fight for our US workers!!! Hope to see you there soon!