Incentives for Filming in California
Financial Incentive -- The STAR Partnership
The State Theatrical Arts Resources (STAR) Partnership is a unique program that offers filmmakers access to unused, distinctive State-owned properties (e.g., health facilities, vacant office structures, prisons, etc.) for cost recovery expenses only, thus helping production companies to substantially cut below-the-line expenses. Permits for STAR properties are also obtained through the CFC.
Film and Television Rebate Program - "Scene in San Francisco"
San Francisco offers a refund on all San Francisco payroll taxes paid and a portion of hotel and sales tax paid to the City during production of a Feature Film or Television program.
Guidelines and Application Forms:
http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/filmcomm/SF_Rebate_Gnrl_Instructions_on_Website.pdf.
Tax Incentives
No State hotel tax on occupancy. Most cities or counties that impose a local hotel tax have a tax exemption for occupancies in excess of 30 days.
Five percent sales tax exemption on the purchase or lease of post-production equipment for qualified persons. (Exemption is taken by the seller of the equipment and passed on to the buyer at the point of purchase.)
Services Provided
Free permits for California State properties.
No location fees for California State properties. Most properties require reimbursement for monitors.
One-stop film office for California State properties.
On site location library and CinemaScout, (www.cinemascout.org), a web-based location finder for sites throughout California.
On site California Highway Patrol (CHP) Film Liaison available to assist with filming on State freeways and highways. This liaison also arranges CHP officers to monitor film shoots.
On site California State Fire Marshal available to provide advice and approval for pyrotechnics and other special effect permits for State properties.
Coordination with more than 55 in-state film commissions. CFC will e-mail your customized location requests to designated film commission offices.
Production and troubleshooting assistance.