US lawmakers unveil 20%-30% federal incentive for film and TV
A bipartisan group of US senators and House members unveiled a federal incentive bill for film and television on Thursday, 24 September, with supporters aiming to get it passed by the end of the year, according to Variety.
The core offer is a 20% to 30% federal incentive for films and TV shows made in America. It would sit on top of existing state incentives, with no cut to the qualified spend, meaning the amount that counts towards the credit, because a production also claimed a state credit.
That stacking matters. Most US shoots already combine state tax breaks with local deals. This would add a federal layer for the first time.
The bill is broad. It would cover animation and reality shows as well as scripted film and TV. It would also cover salaries for actors and other above-the-line talent, the term for leading creative roles such as performers, directors and producers.
There are add-ons. The proposal includes a 5% bonus for shooting in rural opportunity zones and a separate 5% bonus for filming in a federal disaster zone. Los Angeles County qualifies as a federal disaster zone through January 2030 because of last year's fires.
A separate credit would apply to visual effects and post-production done in the US even if a project filmed abroad. That is aimed at finishing work, such as editing, sound and effects, staying on American payrolls.
The timing is tight. Backers want a vote this year before Congress potentially changes hands next term. The bill had yet to receive a formal cost estimate at the time of reporting.
The idea has been building for weeks. In August, President Donald Trump urged Congress to pass tax incentives for the entertainment industry, renewing his call for a federal film credit, as reported by Reuters. An earlier outline described in August centred on a 20% credit for labour costs.
Senator Adam Schiff has since continued a bipartisan push focused on keeping production in America, according to a Senate statement. Representative Laura Friedman, who represents the Hollywood area, is backing the House version of the bill, which followed the White House-backed idea.
For crews, this means jobs. Proponents say a federal programme could pull back work that moved overseas in search of cheaper labour and larger foreign incentives.
What happens next is a legislative sprint. Supporters must agree a final price tag, win committee votes and find floor time before the year-end deadline.
