State budget bill includes tax credits for film and TV production

The biennial budget bill signed by Governor Tony Evers early this morning in Madison establishes state income and franchise tax credits for film production companies that shoot movies and episodes in Milwaukee and other Wisconsin locations.

The biennial budget includes Assembly Bill 231 and Senate Bill 231, featuring language that was included in Common Council file #231846 – authored by Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs and approved by the Council back in April. The bill creates a comprehensive tax credit program to support film production in Wisconsin by establishing a State Film Office within the Department of Tourism and offering multiple tax incentives for film production companies.

Alderwoman Coggs noted Wisconsin and the City of Milwaukee have been losing out on job creation and significant economic opportunities by not having the film and TV production tax credits. “Wisconsin began a film tax incentive program in 2008 which was discontinued in 2013, and we have been one of only 11 states to offer no film tax incentives and we are losing business to neighboring states that do,” she said. “It was past time to bring those tax credits back, and I thank the Governor and the Legislature for their support and for this tremendous progress to get the tax credits in place.”

According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois brought in $691 million in film production revenue in 2022. According to the IMDb (Internet Movie Database) 2,500 short films and TV show episodes have been shot in Wisconsin, compared to more than 26,000 in Illinois.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.