Congress Considers Nationwide Film Tax Credit to Counter Foreign Incentives

Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to ask lawmakers to introduce a federal film and television tax credit, proposing the “Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act.” The initiative seeks to counteract the exodus of U.S. productions to countries offering generous national credits, such as the United Kingdom’s 40 percent credit and Canada’s combined federal-provincial incentives exceeding 50 percent.

States that have invested heavily in soundstages—Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, Florida—are experiencing sharp declines in spending and job numbers, with Georgia’s production budget falling from $4.4 billion to $2 billion and Louisiana losing over half its film jobs since 2021. Proponents claim a uniform 20 percent federal credit, stackable with state incentives, would restore competitiveness and protect a wide range of American workers tied to film shoots. The bill’s details remain fluid, but its bipartisan appeal rests on preserving local economies and preventing further loss to foreign markets.