New Jersey Film Commission Announces Tax Credit for Women and Minority-Led Productions

The Paterson Film & Entertainment Commission, an organization dedicated to facilitating the needs of the film and entertainment industries while stimulating the economic growth of New Jersey, has announced a tax incentive program for women & minority-led productions.

The program is part of a bipartisan effort by the state of New Jersey to incentivize filmmakers and entertainment industry professionals.

“We couldn’t be happier that New Jersey is offering these credits to these amazing productions,” said Jerry Nardella, the Paterson Film & Entertainment Commission’s steering committee chair.

New Jersey Filmmaker Tax Incentive Programs

New Jersey has several tax programs available to filmmakers. Women and minority filmmakers are encouraged to apply for all three.

Film Tax Credit Program

This program provides a tax credit equal to 30 percent of qualified film production expenses, or 35 percent of qualified film production expenses incurred for services performed and tangible personal property purchased through vendors whose primary place of business is located in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer or Salem County.

Digital Media Tax Credit Program

This program provides a tax credit equal to 20 percent of qualified digital media production expenses, or 25 percent of qualified digital media production expenses incurred for services performed and tangible personal property purchased through vendors whose primary place of business is located in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer or Salem County.

Diversity Plan

Women and minority-led productions are encouraged to apply for the additional 2% Diversity Tax Credit. The primary objective of the 2% Diversity Tax Credit is to stimulate job growth by encouraging film productions to employ the services of women and minority persons. The structure of this program seeks to further ensure that equal employment opportunities are offered to both key creative positions and all other production crew.

Full criteria and an application can be found here.