INCENTIVES

to film in Philadelphia
The Pennsylvania Film Tax Credit offers enticing incentives to bring your next project to life in Southeast Pennsylvania.

Tax Credits

PA offers a 25% tax credit to film and television productions that spend at least 60% of their total budget within the state.
Pennsylvania’s commitment to supporting the film industry started in 2004 with the first film tax incentive program. Today, the current Film Production Tax Credit program, established in 2007 and expanded in 2016, continues to help grow the state’s film industry.

Want to apply?

To schedule an appointment, contact Nicole Shiner, ni****@fi**.org
Article Act 84 of 2016 (Article XVII-D, the Entertainment Production Tax Credit) authorizes the issuance of Film Production Tax Credits in an effort to expand Pennsylvania’s film industry.

A Film production is eligible for the tax credit program if Pennsylvania production expenses comprise at least 60% of the Film’s total production expenses.

Eligibility is restricted to the following types of film production: a feature film, a television film, a television talk or game show series, a television commercial, a television pilot or each episode of a television series intended as programming for a national audience.

Eligibility Post production expenses incurred at a Qualified Post production Facility.

Please refer to the program guidelines for additional information on eligibility.

Films that qualify are eligible for a tax credit equal to 25% of the production’s total Qualified Pennsylvania Production Expenses. An additional 5% tax credit, for a total credit of 30%, is available for productions that meet the minimum state filming requirements at a Qualified Production Facility.

Films with eligible Post-production Expenses incurred at a Qualified Post-production Facility, either as part of a Film’s total production activities or as a stand-alone post-production project, are eligible for a 30% tax credit of the film’s qualified post-production expenses.

Recipients of a Film Production Tax Credit my use the tax credit to offset their Pennsylvania state tax liability or sell, assign, or transfer the credits to another entity.

Please refer to the program guidelines for a list of Pennsylvania taxes.

Applications will be accepted no sooner than 90 days prior to the start date of principal photography in Pennsylvania.

Only applications with verifiable documentation that 70% of the film’s financing has been secured and that the remaining 30% will be secured prior to the planned start date of principal photography in Pennsylvania will be considered.

Applications are reviewed during the following four periods: July 1 through September 30, October 1 through December 31, January 1 through March 31, and April 1 through June 30.

Applicants must complete the online Electronic Single Application available at dced.pa.gov and submit all required information and documentation as specified in the program guidelines.  (NOTE: DCED’s Single Application is not compatible with SAFARI browser. You must use INTERNET EXPLORER or CHROME.)

Information, including the program guidelines and all application and reporting forms and materials can be found on the dced.pa.gov website.
No assistance shall be awarded to a Qualified Taxpayer under this program unless the Qualified Taxpayer on behalf of itself and the Eligible Facility certifies to the Department that the Qualified Taxpayer and Eligible Facility shall not discriminate against any employee or against any person seeking employment by reason of race, gender, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or in violation of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, handicap or disability, or in violation of any applicable federal laws.
Film cast and crew staying 30 or more consecutive days in a Pennsylvania hotel are not obligated to pay the Pennsylvania hotel tax (see hotel for details).
Except for extraordinary activities, no department or agency of the commonwealth may charge a fee or other cost (except the actual costs incurred by the affected department or agency) for the use of state-owned property for the purpose of making commercial motion pictures.

PIDC — Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation — offers specialized bridge financing for city and state grant receivables. We’re here to support Philadelphia’s diverse businesses, nonprofits, and real estate developers with tailored solutions and expertise. Website: PIDCphila.com  Contact: in**@pi*******.com or 215-496-8020

Quick Resources

Production Tax Credit
Program Guidelines

The Film Production Tax Credit Program is accepting applications.
Guidelines updated October 2020

Foreign
Registration

To register a foreign business to do business with the Commonwealth of PA (for non-PA companies applying for a FTC & loan-out companies), see other initial filings at:
(Form DSCB:15-412/Fee: $250)

City of Philadelphia
Registration Help

If you are shooting/working in the City of Philadelphia and plan to utilize City services, apply for the Business Income & Receipts Tax ID (BIRT), followed by applying for a Commercial Activity License (formerly known as the Philadelphia Business Privilege Tax).

Fiscal Sponsorships

The Greater Philadelphia Film Office is a 501c3 organization and is able to serve as a Fiscal Sponsor for eligible projects.

PA State Film Office

Learn more from the PA State Film Office for more information about Pennsylvania Tax Credits.
Website: www.filminpa.com
PA Film Tax Credit Program: filminpa.com/incentives/tax-credit/
Phone: 717-720-7413

Contacts:

Gino Anthony Pesi,
Film Commissioner, Executive Director
gp***@pa.gov

Kevin Durkin,
Film Tax Credit Specialist
ke*******@pa.gov
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