Georgia 🇬🇪

Georgia offers a robust film incentive program designed to attract film, television, and digital entertainment productions to the state.

Below is an overview of the incentive:

1.Georgia Film Tax Incentive

Transferable Tax Credit:

Georgia provides a transferable income tax credit to qualifying productions.

2. Detailed Breakdown of the Film Incentive

Base Tax Credit:

20% of qualified in-state production expenditures.

Additional Promotional Credit:

An extra 10% credit is available if the production includes a “qualified Georgia promotion,” such as embedding the Georgia logo in the end credits.

Total Potential Credit:

Up to 30% of qualified expenditures.

Minimum Spend Requirement:

A minimum expenditure of $500,000 on qualified production activities within Georgia.

No Caps:

There are no limits or caps on the amount of tax credits that can be earned.

3. Terms and Conditions Associated with the Incentive

Eligible Productions:

Feature films, television movies, series, pilots, commercials, music videos, and certain interactive entertainment projects.

Ineligible Productions:

News, talk shows, game shows, sports events, and content primarily promoting a product or service.

Mandatory Audit:

As of January 1, 2023, all projects are required to undergo a mandatory audit prior to utilizing or transferring any earned Georgia film tax credit.

Qualified Georgia Promotion:

To earn the additional 10% credit, productions must include a Georgia promotional logo in the end credits and provide a link to ExploreGeorgia.org/Film on the project’s landing page.

4. Governing Body for the Incentive

Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD):

Oversees the certification of productions and administration of the tax credit program.

Georgia Department of Revenue (GDOR):

Conducts audits and issues final certification of the film tax credit.

5. Process/Outline of Applying or Being Eligible for the Incentive

1.Application Submission:

Submit a certification application to the Georgia Film Office, a division of GDEcD, detailing the production and projected expenditures.

2.Certification:

Upon approval, the production receives certification, making it eligible for the tax credit.

3.Production and Expenditure:

Carry out production activities in Georgia, ensuring expenditures meet the state’s qualifying criteria.

4.Audit:

After production, request a mandatory audit through GDOR’s website.

5.Tax Credit Issuance:

Upon successful audit completion, GDOR issues the tax credit certification.

6.Utilization or Transfer:

The production company can apply the credit against Georgia income tax liabilities or transfer/sell the credit to other Georgia taxpayers.

For detailed guidelines and assistance, it is advisable to consult the official websites of the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Department of Revenue or contact them directly.