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This film tax incentive is a modest step to enter the field, but is enough to get a look and consideration along with other states for future projects. The State loses nothing. Any approved project that comes in and contributes leaves more revenue than they take. Kansas needs tax incentives to compete because film and media are changing. Film, television, streaming services, series, gaming, and other high-tech media all need more content at favorable costs. Because technology allows production almost anywhere, production can shop around and go where it wants. Currently, projects and their financiers do not consider Kansas, because Kansas does not compete. 

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Film tax incentives makes Kansas competitive by:

• incentivizing national and local production,

• growing local resources and production capacity, and

• creating the environment to keep talent, expand programs, and grow and sustain the technological talent base.

 
Goals of this bill are:

• drawing in national production and facilitate local production,

• bringing in sustainable projects and sustainable jobs,

• increasing state revenue and local tourism, and 

• to build a skilled technical workforce to keep the next generation in Kansas.

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Details of the proposed bill include:

• $12 million proposal, including an annual $10 million capped tax incentives and $2 million annual appropriation for discretionary grants related to approved projects,

• $10 million available for eligible productions, and post-production projects produced in Kansas to receive a transferable or refundable 30% credit on income taxes owed. Includes a provision for the option of a sales tax exemption on property or services, including the sale and installation of machinery and equipment,

  • The $10 million tax credit includes $9 million to attract out-of-state projects to Kansas, and $1 million to support Kansas-based production,

• Department of Commerce-approved, qualified productions that work in Kansas for 25 percent of the production, and that employ a minimum of 10 percent Kansas local talent, crew, and vendors,

• tax credits which can increase, such as: a 5% credit increase for each category for rural or urban, projects over $50 million spending, legacy infrastructure investment, over 50% Kansas employees, renewal of existing project, but cannot exceed 40%,

• two grant programs funded with State General Fund dollars,

• $1 million for grants to education institutions and programs to engage educate, support, and keep skilled technology production workers in Kansas,

• $1 million available to grants to address Kansas infrastructure and workforce to facilitate production and investment in Kansas,

• a 1-to-1 matching State/private grant program for film and digital media projects originating in Kansas, with

• ten year sunset.

Questions about the bill?

Contact: Stuart J. Little

Little Government Relations

stuartjlittle@mac.com

785-845-7265