Draft Federal Film Incentive Would Offer a 20% Base Credit, Up to 30%

Members of Congress are drafting legislation for a 20 percent federal film and TV incentive, with bonuses that could raise it to 30 percent, Variety reported. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, a Texas Republican, is working on the bill with Rep. Linda Sanchez, a California Democrat, both members of the House Ways and Means Committee, while Rep. Laura Friedman, a Burbank Democrat, has been working with Georgia Republican Rep. Brian Jack. According to Variety's sources, the base credit would cover 20 percent of all labor costs, above and below the line, and eligibility would extend to reality TV and animation as well as films and scripted series, but not news or sports broadcasts. Producers could claim up to two of four additional 5 percent uplifts, and the federal credit would stack on top of state incentives. On Tuesday, industry stakeholders joined lawmakers at a press conference urging Congress to act, where Friedman called the lack of a federal incentive a major mistake. Friedman and Jack declined to confirm a timeline or details of their bill, The Washington Times reported.