The Pennsylvania Senate Finance Committee recently approved legislation that would increase state assistance for the Film Tax Credit program from $70 million to $125 million.
Annually, 10 to 12 productions are permitted to film in Pennsylvania and qualify for the tax credit program. After the program has been exhausted, the state turns away productions.
Since the program launched in 2007, approximately 860 applicants have applied, and 509 have been awarded tax credits, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s 2019-20 Film Production Tax Credit Program Report.
Film productions have added nearly $3.3 billion to the state’s economy and generated $785 million in state and local taxes.
“The film industry has the ability to put people to work quickly in family-sustaining jobs while also increasing opportunities for the small businesses that provide goods and services to the industry,” Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Greene County), who sponsored the bill, said. “The tax credit can offer this incentive to the Commonwealth, as well as lead the way in the next wave of creative content for consumers at a time when the joke about finishing all the shows on Netflix has become real.”
Senate Bill 321 has the support of the Film Industry Caucus.
The bill moves to the full Senate for consideration.