SB257: Motion picture film production; provides income tax credits to any company with qualifying expenses.


SENATE BILL NO. 257
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Joint Conference Committee
on March 8, 2010)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Lucas)
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 13 of Chapter 3 of Title 58.1 a section numbered 58.1-439.12:03, relating to motion picture film production tax incentives.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 13 of Chapter 3 of Title 58.1 a section numbered 58.1-439.12:03 as follows:

? 58.1-439.12:03. Motion picture production tax credit.

A. For taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2011, any motion picture production company with qualifying expenses of at least $250,000 with respect to a motion picture production filmed in Virginia shall be allowed a refundable credit against the taxes imposed by ? 58.1-320 or 58.1-400 in an amount equal to 15 percent of the production company's qualifying expenses or 20 percent of such expenses if the production is filmed in an economically distressed area of the Commonwealth. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority shall designate which areas of the Commonwealth are deemed to be economically distressed areas. The credit shall be computed based on all of the taxpayer's qualifying expenses incurred with respect to the production, not just the qualifying expenses incurred during the taxable year. The refundable tax credits allowed under this section are for one tax year only. Where a motion picture production continues for more than one year, a separate application for each tax year the production continues must be made. The grant of a refundable tax credit for a motion picture film production does not create a presumption that the production will receive a refundable tax credit for subsequent tax years. Effective on January 1, 2013, for purposes of eligibility for refundable tax credits, a motion picture film production shall include digital interactive media production. ?Qualifying expenses? means the sum of the following amounts spent in the Commonwealth by a production company in connection with the production of a motion picture filmed in the Commonwealth:

1. Goods and services leased or purchased. For goods with a purchase price of $25,000 or more, the amount included in qualifying expenses is the purchase price less the fair market value of the good at the time the production is completed.

2. Compensation and wages, except in the case of each individual who directly or indirectly receives compensation in excess of $1 million for personal services with respect to a single production. In such a case, only the first $1 million of salary shall be considered a qualifying expense. An individual is deemed to receive compensation indirectly when a production company pays a personal service company or an employee leasing company that pays the individual.

B. 1. In addition to the refundable credit authorized under subsection A, such production company shall be allowed an additional refundable credit equal to 10 percent of the total aggregate payroll for Virginia residents employed in connection with the production of a film in the Commonwealth when total production costs in the Commonwealth are at least $250,000 but not more than $1 million. This additional credit shall be equal to 20 percent of the total aggregate payroll for Virginia residents employed in connection with such production when total production costs in the Commonwealth exceed $1 million.

2. In addition to the credits authorized under subsection A and subdivision B 1, such production company shall be allowed an additional refundable credit equal to 10 percent of the total aggregate payroll for Virginia residents employed for the first time as actors or members of a production crew in connection with the production of a film in the Commonwealth.

C. 1. For purposes of this section, in the case of an episodic television series, an entire season of episodes shall be deemed to be one production.

2. No credit shall be allowed under this section for any production that (i) is political advertising, (ii) is a television production of a news program or live sporting event, (iii) contains obscene material, or (iv) is a reality television production.

D. 1. The issuance of refundable tax credits under this section shall be in accordance with procedures, qualifying criteria, and deadlines established by the Department and the Virginia Film Office. The qualifying criteria established by the Virginia Film Office shall take into account whether the production involves physical production within the Commonwealth of Virginia, the number of residents of Virginia that will be employed in the production and the level of compensation they will be paid, the extent to which the production will contribute to the support and expansion of existing production companies in Virginia, the extent to which the production will impact existing local businesses and the local economy, the extent to which the production will involve existing and new companies located in Virginia, and other relevant considerations. The taxpayer shall apply for a credit by submitting such forms as prescribed by the Virginia Film Office, prior to the start of production in Virginia.

2. Any taxpayer seeking credits under this section must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Virginia Film Office that at a minimum provides the requirements that the taxpayer must meet in order to receive the credits, including but not limited to the estimated amount of money to be spent in Virginia, the timeline for completing production in Virginia, and the maximum amount of credits allocated to the taxpayer. 3. Once the taxpayer has satisfied all of the requirements in the memorandum of understanding to the satisfaction of the Virginia Film Office and completed production in Virginia, the taxpayer may claim the applicable amount of credits up to the amount that has been allocated by the Virginia Film Office on a return filed for the taxable year in which the Virginia production activities are completed. The return must state the name of the production, provide a description of the production, and include a detailed accounting of the qualifying expenses with respect to which a credit is claimed.

E. A taxpayer allowed a credit under this section must maintain and make available for inspection any information or records required by the Tax Commissioner. The taxpayer has the burden of proving eligibility for a credit and the amount of the credit. The Tax Commissioner shall consult with the Virginia Film Office in order to determine the amount of qualifying expenses.

F. For purposes of this section, the amount of any credit attributable to a partnership, electing small business corporation (S corporation), or limited liability company may be allocated to the individual partners, shareholders, or members, respectively, in proportion to their ownership or interest in such business entities.

G. The total amount of credits allocated to all taxpayers under this section shall not exceed $2.5 million in the 2010-2012 biennium, and $5 million in any biennium thereafter.

H. The Department of Taxation, in consultation with the Virginia Film Office, must publish by November 1 of each year for the 12-month period ending the preceding December 31 the following information:

1. Location of sites used in a production for which a credit was claimed;

2. Qualifying expenses for which a credit was claimed, classified by whether the expenses were for goods, services, or compensation paid by the production company;

3. Number of people employed in the Commonwealth with respect to credits claimed; and

4. Total cost to the Commonwealth's general fund of the credits claimed.

I. The Tax Commissioner shall develop guidelines implementing the provisions of this section, including but not limited to the definition of ?qualifying expenses? and setting forth the recordkeeping requirements applicable to production companies claiming this credit. Such guidelines shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (? 2.2-4000 et seq.).

2. That the General Assembly of Virginia finds that modern motion picture productions may be located within a state with minimal regard to the location of such state, and that the economic vitality of the Commonwealth may be enhanced if such productions are filmed in the Commonwealth. Accordingly, the provisions of this act targeting the credit to expenditures made in the Commonwealth and to the employment of Virginia residents and limiting the credit to those companies that meet those criteria are integral to the purpose of the credit earned pursuant to this act and shall not be deemed severable.


SENATE BILL NO. 257
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on Appropriations
on March 1, 2010)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Lucas)
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 13 of Chapter 3 of Title 58.1 a section numbered 58.1-439.12:03, relating to motion picture film production tax incentives.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 13 of Chapter 3 of Title 58.1 a section numbered 58.1-439.12:03 as follows:

? 58.1-439.12:03. Motion picture production tax credit.

A. For taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2011, any motion picture production company with qualifying expenses of at least $250,000 with respect to a motion picture production filmed in Virginia shall be allowed a refundable credit against the taxes imposed by ? 58.1-320 or 58.1-400 in an amount equal to 15 percent of the production company's qualifying expenses or 20 percent of such expenses if the production is filmed in an economically distressed area of the Commonwealth. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority shall designate which areas of the Commonwealth are deemed to be economically distressed areas. The credit shall be computed based on all of the taxpayer's qualifying expenses incurred with respect to the production, not just the qualifying expenses incurred during the taxable year.

?Qualifying expenses? means the sum of the following amounts spent in the Commonwealth by a production company in connection with the production of a motion picture filmed in the Commonwealth:

1. Goods and services leased or purchased. For goods with a purchase price of $25,000 or more, the amount included in qualifying expenses is the purchase price less the fair market value of the good at the time the production is completed.

2. Compensation and wages, except in the case of each individual who directly or indirectly receives compensation in excess of $1 million for personal services with respect to a single production. In such a case, only the first $1 million of salary shall be considered a qualifying expense. An individual is deemed to receive compensation indirectly when a production company pays a personal service company or an employee leasing company that pays the individual.

B. 1. In addition to the refundable credit authorized under subsection A, such production company shall be allowed an additional refundable credit equal to 10 percent of the total aggregate payroll for Virginia residents employed in connection with the production of a film in the Commonwealth when total production costs in the Commonwealth are at least $250,000 but not more than $1 million. This additional credit shall be equal to 20 percent of the total aggregate payroll for Virginia residents employed in connection with such production when total production costs in the Commonwealth exceed $1 million.

2. In addition to the credits authorized under subsection A and subdivision B 1, such production company shall be allowed an additional refundable credit equal to 10 percent of the total aggregate payroll for Virginia residents employed for the first time as actors or members of a production crew in connection with the production of a film in the Commonwealth.

C. 1. For purposes of this section, in the case of an episodic television series, an entire season of episodes shall be deemed to be one production.

2. No credit shall be allowed under this section for any production that (i) is political advertising, (ii) is a television production of a news program or live sporting event, (iii) contains obscene material, or (iv) is a reality television production.

D. 1. The issuance of refundable tax credits under this section shall be in accordance with procedures and deadlines established by the Department and the Virginia Film Office. The taxpayer shall apply for a credit by submitting such forms as prescribed by the Virginia Film Office, prior to the start of production in Virginia.

2. Any taxpayer seeking credits under this section must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Virginia Film Office that at a minimum provides the requirements that the taxpayer must meet in order to receive the credits, including but not limited to the estimated amount of money to be spent in Virginia, the timeline for completing production in Virginia, and the maximum amount of credits allocated to the taxpayer.

3. Once the taxpayer has satisfied all of the requirements in the memorandum of understanding to the satisfaction of the Virginia Film Office and completed production in Virginia, the taxpayer may claim the applicable amount of credits up to the amount that has been allocated by the Virginia Film Office on a return filed for the taxable year in which the Virginia production activities are completed. The return must state the name of the production, provide a description of the production, and include a detailed accounting of the qualifying expenses with respect to which a credit is claimed.

E. A taxpayer allowed a credit under this section must maintain and make available for inspection any information or records required by the Tax Commissioner. The taxpayer has the burden of proving eligibility for a credit and the amount of the credit. The Tax Commissioner shall consult with the Virginia Film Office in order to determine the amount of qualifying expenses.

F. For purposes of this section, the amount of any credit attributable to a partnership, electing small business corporation (S corporation), or limited liability company may be allocated to the individual partners, shareholders, or members, respectively, in proportion to their ownership or interest in such business entities.

G. The total amount of credits allocated to all taxpayers under this section shall not exceed $2.5 million in the 2010-2012 biennium, and $5 million in any biennium thereafter.

H. The Department of Taxation, in consultation with the Virginia Film Office, must publish by November 1 of each year for the 12-month period ending the preceding December 31 the following information:

1. Location of sites used in a production for which a credit was claimed;

2. Qualifying expenses for which a credit was claimed, classified by whether the expenses were for goods, services, or compensation paid by the production company;

3. Number of people employed in the Commonwealth with respect to credits claimed; and

4. Total cost to the Commonwealth's general fund of the credits claimed.

I. The Tax Commissioner shall develop guidelines implementing the provisions of this section, including but not limited to the definition of ?qualifying expenses? and setting forth the recordkeeping requirements applicable to production companies claiming this credit. Such guidelines shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (? 2.2-4000 et seq.).

2. That the General Assembly of Virginia finds that modern motion picture productions may be located within a state with minimal regard to the location of such state, and that the economic vitality of the Commonwealth may be enhanced if such productions are filmed in the Commonwealth. Accordingly, the provisions of this act targeting the credit to expenditures made in the Commonwealth and to the employment of Virginia residents and limiting the credit to those companies that meet those criteria are integral to the purpose of the credit earned pursuant to this act and shall not be deemed severable.


SENATE BILL NO. 257
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Finance
on February 3, 2010)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Lucas)
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-2319.1, relating to motion picture film production incentives.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 2.2-2319.1 as follows:

? 2.2-2319.1. Grants for motion picture film production filmed in the Commonwealth.

A. As used in this section, unless the context clearly shows otherwise:

"Qualifying expenses" means the sum of the following amounts spent in the Commonwealth by a production company in connection with the production of a motion picture film production filmed in the Commonwealth:

1. Goods and services leased or purchased. For goods with a purchase price of $25,000 or more, the amount included in qualifying expenses shall be the purchase price less the fair market value of the good at the time the production is completed.

2. Compensation and wages, except in the case of each individual who directly or indirectly receives compensation in excess of $1 million for personal services with respect to a single production. In such a case, only the first $1 million of salary shall be considered a qualifying expense. An individual is deemed to receive compensation indirectly when a production company pays a personal service company or an employee leasing company that pays the individual.

B. A motion picture film production company with qualifying expenses of at least $250,000 with respect to a motion picture film production filmed in the Commonwealth shall be eligible for a grant to be paid from the Motion Picture Film Production Incentive Grant Fund (the Fund) established under subsection G. All grants under this section shall be subject to the appropriation of moneys by the General Assembly to the Fund for payment of the grants. For purposes of eligibility for grants, a motion picture film production shall include digital interactive media production.

1. The grant shall be equal to 15 percent of the production company's qualifying expenses or 20 percent of such expenses if the production is filmed in an economically distressed area of the Commonwealth. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority shall designate which areas of the Commonwealth are deemed to be economically distressed areas.

2. In addition to the grant described under subdivision 1, such production company shall be eligible for an additional grant equal to 10 percent of the total aggregate payroll for Virginia residents employed in connection with the production of a film production in the Commonwealth by such production company when its total production costs in the Commonwealth are at least $250,000 but not more than $1 million. This additional grant shall be equal to 20 percent of the total aggregate payroll for Virginia residents employed in connection with such film production when the production company's total production costs in the Commonwealth exceed $1 million.

3. In addition to the grants described in subdivisions 1 and 2, such production company shall be eligible for an additional grant equal to 10 percent of the total aggregate payroll for Virginia residents employed for the first time as actors or members of a production crew in connection with the production of a film production in the Commonwealth by such production company.

C. For purposes of this section, in the case of an episodic television series, an entire season of episodes shall be deemed to be one production.

No grants shall be paid under this section for any production that (i) is political advertising; (ii) is a television production of a news program or live sporting event; (iii) contains obscene material; or (iv) is a reality television production.

D. 1. The process for applying for grants and the awarding of grants under this section shall be in accordance with procedures and deadlines established by the Virginia Film Office. The motion picture film production company shall apply for a grant by submitting such forms as prescribed by the Virginia Film Office prior to the start of production in Virginia.

2. Any motion picture film production company seeking a grant under this section shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Virginia Film Office that at a minimum provides the requirements that the production company shall meet in order to receive the grants, including but not limited to the estimated amount of money to be spent in the Commonwealth and the timeline for completing production in the Commonwealth. The memorandum of understanding shall also include the anticipated schedule for the payment of the grants and the maximum amount of grants to be awarded to the production company.

3. No grants shall be paid under this section until the motion picture film production company has satisfied all of the requirements in the memorandum of understanding to the satisfaction of the Virginia Film Office and completed production in the Commonwealth. Such production company shall provide a detailed accounting of the qualifying expenses upon which the grant payments shall be computed.

E. The aggregate amount of grants that may be awarded by the Virginia Film Office under this section shall not exceed $5 million in the 2010-2012 biennium and any biennium thereafter. The Virginia Film Office shall not award any grant under this section unless sufficient moneys have been appropriated to the Fund such that full payment of the grant can be made.

F. The Virginia Film Office shall publish by November 1 of each year for the 12-month period ending the preceding December 31 the following information:

1. Location of sites used in a production for which a grant was awarded;

2. Qualifying expenses for which a grant was awarded classified by whether the expenses were for goods, services, or compensation paid by the motion picture film production company; and

3. Number of people employed in the Commonwealth with respect to grants awarded.

G. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Motion Picture Film Production Incentive Grant Fund (the Fund). The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All moneys as may be appropriated by the General Assembly and all other revenues from any other source, public or private, designated for the Fund shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of making grant payments awarded under this section. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Executive Director of the Authority.

SENATE BILL NO. 257
Offered January 13, 2010
Prefiled January 12, 2010
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 13 of Chapter 3 of Title 58.1 a section numbered 58.1-439.12:03, relating to motion picture film production tax incentives.
Patron-- Lucas

Referred to Committee on Finance

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 13 of Chapter 3 of Title 58.1 a section numbered 58.1-439.12:03 as follows:

§ 58.1-439.12:03. Motion picture film production tax credit.

A. For taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2010, any motion picture production company with qualifying expenses of at least $250,000 with respect to a motion picture film production filmed in Virginia shall be allowed a credit against the taxes imposed by § 58.1-320 or 58.1-400 in an amount equal to 15 percent of the production company's qualifying expenses or 20 percent of such expenses if the production is filmed in an economically distressed area of the Commonwealth. The Secretary of Commerce and Trade shall designate which areas of the Commonwealth are deemed to be economically distressed areas. For purposes of this section, in the case of an episodic television series, an entire season of episodes is one production. The credit shall be computed based on all of the taxpayer's qualifying expenses incurred with respect to the production, not just the qualifying expenses incurred during the taxable year.

“Qualifying expenses” means the sum of the following amounts spent in the Commonwealth by a production company in connection with the production of a motion picture film filmed in the Commonwealth:

1. Goods and services leased or purchased. For goods with a purchase price of $25,000 or more, the amount included in qualifying expenses is the purchase price less the fair market value of the good at the time the production is completed.

2. Compensation and wages except in the case of each individual who directly or indirectly receives compensation in excess of $1 million for personal services with respect to a single production. In such a case, only the first $1 million of salary shall be considered a qualifying expense. An individual is deemed to receive compensation indirectly when a production company pays a personal service company or an employee leasing company that pays the individual.

B. 1. In addition to the credit authorized under subsection A, such production company shall be allowed an additional credit equal to 10 percent of the total aggregate payroll for Virginia residents employed in connection with the production of a film in the Commonwealth when total production costs in the Commonwealth are at least $250,000 but not more than $1 million. The additional credit shall be equal to 20 percent of the total aggregate payroll for Virginia residents employed in connection with such production when total production costs in the Commonwealth exceed $1 million.

2. In addition to the credits authorized under subsection A and subdivision B 1, such production company shall be allowed an additional credit equal to 10 percent of the total aggregate payroll for Virginia residents employed for the first time as actors or members of a production crew in connection with the production of a film in the Commonwealth.

C. A taxpayer may claim the credits allowed by this section on a return filed for the taxable year in which the production activities are completed. The return must state the name of the production, provide a description of the production, and include a detailed accounting of the qualifying expenses with respect to which a credit is claimed.

D. If the credits allowed by this section exceed the amount of tax imposed for the taxable year reduced by the sum of all other credits allowable, the excess shall not be redeemable by the Tax Commissioner on behalf of the Commonwealth. The total amount of credits allowed under this section for any biennium shall not exceed $10 million.

E. For purposes of this section, the amount of any credit attributable to a partnership, electing small business corporation (S corporation), or limited liability company shall be allocated to the individual partners, shareholders, or members, respectively, in proportion to their ownership or interest in such business entities.

F. No credit shall be allowed under this section for any production that (i) is political advertising; (ii) is a television production of a news program or live sporting event; or (iii) contains obscene material.

G. A taxpayer allowed a credit under this section must maintain and make available for inspection any information or records required by the Tax Commissioner. The taxpayer has the burden of proving eligibility for a credit and the amount of the credit. The Tax Commissioner shall consult with the Virginia Film Office in order to determine the amount of qualifying expenses.

H. The Department of Taxation, in consultation with the Virginia Film Office, must publish by November 1 of each year for the 12-month period ending the preceding December 31 the following information:

1. Location of sites used in a production for which a credit was claimed;

2. Qualifying expenses for which a credit was claimed, classified by whether the expenses were for goods, services, or compensation paid by the production company;

3. Number of people employed in the Commonwealth with respect to credits claimed; and

4. Total cost to the Commonwealth's general fund of the credits claimed.

I. The Department of Taxation shall promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) consistent with the provisions of this section including but not limited to the definition of “qualifying expenses” and setting forth the record-keeping requirements applicable to production companies claiming this credit.

J. The General Assembly of Virginia finds that modern motion picture film productions may be located within a state with minimal regard to the location of such state, and that the economic vitality of the Commonwealth would be enhanced if such productions were filmed in Virginia. Accordingly, the provisions of this section targeting the credit to expenditures made in this Commonwealth and the employment of Virginia residents and limiting the credit to those companies which meet those criteria are integral to the purpose of the credit earned pursuant to this section and shall not be deemed severable.