Base tax credit is 20% with an additional 10% available if Georgia logo is placed in end credits or alternative marketing opportunities are fulfilled.
The tax credit program is managed by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), who initially certifies projects as qualified for the tax credit program, and the Georgia Department of Revenue (GDOR), who oversees the final audit and issues the final certification.
All projects initially certified on or after 1/1/2023 are subject to a mandatory audit performed by an approved CPA or GDOR. The qualifying period begins four weeks prior to the opening of the production office and ends six weeks after the close of the production office (exceptions for storage and postproduction costs performed in GA).
Incentive details
Type
Transferable tax credit
Rate
20% (base)
Uplift(s)
10% Georgia Entertainment Promotion (GEP): for use of GA promotional logo or pre-approved alternative marketing options.
10% on standalone postproduction if the project is shot in Georgia and an additional 5% if the postproduction work is completed in a rural GA county.
Annual Cap
$10M on standalone postproduction credit
Project Cap
None
Compensation Cap
$500K/individual (no cap on loanouts)
Eligible Expenses
Spend on materials & services provided in-state by a qualified Georgia vendor and in-state labor, up-to $500K/individual (no compensation cap on loanouts).
Additional Info
CA SUI and payroll handling fees do not qualify
Requirements
Minimum Spend
$500,000; standalone postproduction: $500K in qualified expenditures & $100K in aggregate payroll
Local Hire
Requirement
None
Logo/End Credit Acknowledgement Required
Yes
Loanout Withholding
5.19%
Application Timing
Pre-approval required for 20% base initial certification; a separate application is required to obtain 10% GEP uplift and demonstrate logo placement or fulfillment of alternative marketing opportunities. audit application must be received within 1 year of the end of principal photography in Georgia.
Audit
CPA or Georgia Department of Revenue audit required.
Submit application with script and proof of funding no earlier than one hundred twenty (120) days (budgets under $100M) or one hundred eighty (180) days (budgets over $100M) prior to and no later than seven (7) calendar days after the start of principal photography in Georgia. Filming must begin within thirty days of the date of the initial certification letter.
