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Michigan Freezes Incentives Applications

from The Film Incentives Office

Despite $25 million available for Film Incentives in 2011-2012, new regulations for the program have not yet been approved. And the state has stopped accepting applications until the  program has been set by the Legislature.

Current applications for funds will be reviewed under existing guidelines, but applications must  be re-submitted for fiscal year 2012 funds.

Proposed legislation would drop qualified expenditures for Michigan residents to 30% until December 31, 2014, and then 25%. Non-resident personnel is set at 27% until 12/31/2012, then 22% until 12/31/2013, then 17% until 12/31/14, and 12% after that. An additional 5% will be awarded for direct production expenses and qualified personnel expenses at a qualified facility.

Payments to resident producers is limited to 10% of the direct production expenditures and 5% for non-resident producers.

An animated five second logo must be included to qualify for the award. A .2% application fee (up to $5,000)  must be included with the application.

NEW JERSEY

Governor Christie has stopped payment on the rebate check to the producers of "Jersey Shore."  While stressing that he was not imposing censorship, he felt that New Jersey voters would want him to censor this type of content. The series had pre-approval status from the state and there was no substantiation from New Jersey voters.

FALL INCENTIVES SPECTACULAR

The Incentives Office Fall, 2011 Incentives Spectacular will be held the morning of Thursday, November 3, 2011 at the Landmark Theatre in West Los Angeles. States with strong incentives programs will be showcased.

The first panel, DIALING FOR DOLLARS includes Lenny Alsfeld, President of First Bank and Trust Investments in New Orleans; Lonnie Ramati, head of business affairs for Millenium/NuImage; Robbert Aarts, Co-CEO of Fintage House (Netherlands); Jan Fantl, Head of Consultation, CoPro Smart (Berlin), and Jeanette Buerling, President/CEO of Magnet Media Group.  Moderator will be Dama Claire from The Incentives Office.
 
The BIG BANG INCENTIVES panel will include Chris Stelly, Executive Director of Film, Louisiana Film Office; Dave Worrell, Manager, Alaska Film Office; Clint Mock, a CPA from Baton Rouge who is an experienced auditor for tax credit applications; Matthew Rhodes, President of Mandalay Vision, and Bruce Deichl from Tax Credits LLC. An additional commissioner will be announced soon. Moderator will be Jeff Begun from The Incentives Office.

FALL INCENTIVES GUIDE AVAILABLE

The Incentives Office at Ease  Fall, 2011 Guide to U.S. Production Incentives is now available for download.