California Film & Television Tax Credit Program
Application Procedures for Next Round of Available Funds
APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2013/14 FISCAL YEAR ALLOCATION OF TAX CREDITS BEGINS ON MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2013 (see instructions). We are no longer accepting appliations for the current fiscal year.
Please read the Program Guidelines for a detailed explanation of the application procedures and required documentation. Applicants will be notified on June 4th if credits have been provisionally reserved for their project or if the project has been waitlisted and, if so, the waitlist number. Credit Allocation Letters will be issued on July 1, 2013. However, as per the Regulations, “completed applications shall be submitted at least thirty days prior to the start of principal photography”, therefore newly approved productions can not begin principal photography until July 3, 2013.
The California Film Commission is pleased to offer incentives for the fourth year of the Tax Credit Program, along with all of our existing services.
The following is a brief description of the program parameters:
How the Tax Credit Works
Qualified taxpayers are allowed a credit against income and/or sales and use taxes, based on qualified expenditures, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. Credits applied to income tax liability are not refundable. Only tax credits issued to an "independent film" may be transferred or sold to an unrelated party. Other qualified taxpayers may carryover tax credits for 5 years and transfer tax credits to an affiliate.
What Types of Productions Qualify for the Program?
To apply for the California Film and Television Incentive Program, a "qualified motion picture" must be one of the following:
(Eligible for 20% Tax Credit):
- Feature Films ($1 million minimum - $75 million maximum production budget)
- Movies of the Week or Miniseries ($500,000 minimum production budget)
- New television series licensed for original distribution on basic cable ($1 million minimum budget; one-half hour shows and other exclusions apply)
(Eligible for 25% Tax Credit):
- A television series, without regard to episode length, that filmed all of its prior seasons outside of California.
- An "independent film" ($1 million total production budget - $10 million qualified expenditure budget that is produced by a company that is not publicly traded and that publicly traded companies do not own more that 25% of the producing company.)
A "qualified motion picture" must also meet the following conditions:
- 75% test (production days or total production budget) in California
- Application must be submitted at least 30 days prior to commencement of principal photography
- Once an application is approved, principal photography must begin within 180 days
How much was allocated to the program?
- $100 million annually beginning fiscal year 2009/2010 through fiscal year 2016-2017
- A minimum of $10 million of the annual funding is available for independent films each year
Applications may be sent to the CFC offices via hand delivery, FedEx, UPS or other private mail service, U.S. Postal Service, or via messenger. Applications may not be faxed or sent electronically via e-mail.
Address:7080 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 900 Hollywood, CA 90028
Attn: California Film & Television Tax Credit Program
Phone: 323-860-2960 X110
The California Film Commission is delighted to offer this incentive program along with all of our existing services.
