Studies of Film Tax Credits Show Economic Benefits for States

Originally posted on the MarketWatch website.

New Ernst & Young LLP report discusses studies of state film tax credits and different approaches used to evaluate the effectiveness of film credit programs.

A study released by Ernst & Young LLP outlines the economic benefits of film production tax incentives for states and analyzes the most effective framework for evaluating the economic success of film incentive programs. The study examines the objectives of film credit programs, explains the methodologies used to estimate the economic benefits of film credit programs and discusses the approaches used to analyze the film credits in a number of recent state studies of the effectiveness of film credits. Film credits are currently in use in 37 states.

“The primary benefits of film credits to state residents are increased employment and higher incomes generated by film production activities,” said Robert Cline, Ernst & Young LLP’s National Director of State and Local Tax Policy Economics. “However, the economic benefits to residents extend beyond the production activities themselves and include increased activity by suppliers to the film industry and increased consumer spending from higher incomes.”

The Ernst & Young LLP report discusses film credit studies in various states that differ significantly in methodology, comprehensiveness in measuring economic benefits and in the measures used to evaluate the effectiveness of film credits in generating jobs and incomes. The most comprehensive studies measure the economic impacts from credit-assisted film productions, increased tourism, development of a sustainable film industry infrastructure and additional film productions not eligible for the credits. The comprehensive studies also include estimates of the additional state and local taxes from increased jobs and incomes.

As state tax shortfalls have grown and budgets have been cut, legislators have been forced to weigh expenditures on film credits with those on other types of economic development programs and more general state spending. The Ernst & Young LLP report discusses the framework for evaluating the effectiveness of film credit programs. The primary objective of the programs is to increase private-sector economic activity. This is a broader perspective for evaluating a film credit’s effectiveness than simply asking if a credit “pays for itself” by generating additional state taxes that exceed the state cost of the credit.

“The main focus of the evaluations of film credits to-date has been whether or not the credits ‘pay for themselves’ through higher state and local tax collections,” said Cline. “But the more important issue for policy makers to focus on as they evaluate state film credits is the effectiveness of film credits compared to other state economic development programs in terms of jobs and economic development.”

The study was co-authored by Andrew Phillips and Robert Cline of the Quantitative Economics and Statistics Practice (QUEST) of Ernst & Young LLP and William Fox of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee on behalf of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). A copy of the complete report is available HERE.

About QUEST: QUEST is a group of economists, statisticians and tax policy researchers within Ernst & Young’s LLP’s National Tax Practice, located in Washington, DC. QUEST provides quantitative advisory services and products to private and public sector clients that enhance business processes, support regulatory compliance, and analyze policy issues.

About Ernst & Young: Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 152,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

For more information, please visit www.ey.com. Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a US client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.

About the MPAA: The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries, domestically and, through our subsidiaries and affiliates, internationally. It champions a healthy, thriving film and television industry by engaging in a variety of legislative, policy, education, technology and law enforcement initiatives. These efforts range from safeguarding intellectual property rights to using technology to expand consumer entertainment choices, to championing fair trade agreements and a secure future for artistic freedom of expression.

SOURCE Ernst & Young LLP

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