Louisiana Film Tax Credit Extension Picks Up Legislative Support
During the 2009 legislative session Louisiana lawmakers will decide the immediate future structure of the film tax credit incentives enacted in 2002 as the original dates for the program near their "sunset."

NEW ORLEANS, LA, March 20, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The new session begins April 27 but this week Governor Jindal has already begun publicly addressing the issue.

Most legislators agree that the program should be extended but the current economic problems and increased pressure from other states has fueled discussion about whether or not changes are needed to the program, which has generated over $2 billion in revenue for the state since 2002.

Most Louisiana lawmakers, including Governor Bobby Jindal, see the tax credits as an important part of the state's economy and are pushing to extend the program. Jindal has said that he will support extending the current 25 percent level of movie tax credits for 2 more years and 5 years on infrastructure credits. Jindal also supports eliminating the 2009 deadline for The Digital Media Production Tax Credit, a program for the development of video games, animation and special effects.

And since lawmakers seem to agree on continuation the debate shifts to the question of what the future should look like for the tax credit program? Among the factors being discussed during the debate over the future shape of Louisiana's film incentive program are:

* Incentive structure

The Louisiana Motion Picture Act allows out of state film producers to earn a 25% tax credit on their qualified Louisiana based production and 10% on labor costs. The legislature is debating whether or not raising these percentages is necessary to ensure the program remains competitive.

* Impact of a worsening economy

Like most states, Louisiana faces a budget shortfall for 2009. Decreases in state revenues make it harder to expand tax incentives in a down economy. However the potential decrease in jobs or revenue from film and TV productions is of more concern to state officials.

* Increased pressure from other states

Given the success of Louisiana's film program other states are now trying to compete in this sector and have begun offering incentive packages of their own. States like Georgia and Michigan have "upped the ante" by setting tax credits at higher levels than have previously been done before. There is great debate in those states as to whether or not this is financially sustainable but the net effect has been greater competition.

Louisiana film industry executives are pushing to have the film tax credits extended in their current state although there is some discussion on what the percentages should be. And while other states have created programs with deeper discounts Louisiana has many other factors which help to level the playing field including unique locations, strong film infrastructure, a highly trained workforce and ongoing support from state and local officials.

Press Release Contact Information:

Andre Savoie Savoie
WSI - We Simplify the Internet
Louisiana Film Tax Credit Extens
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