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MEDIA Tax Credit

  • Montana Film Office
    • Incentives
      • Big Sky Film Grant
      • Bonus Incentives
      • MEDIA Tax Credit

MEDIA Act Update

Credit reserved through 2029

For more information, please see the Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement Tax Credit update.

Please call the Montana Department of Commerce Film Office before applying.


On July 1, 2019, the Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement (MEDIA) Act came into effect. It offers a 20% transferable income tax credit on production expenditures in the state with additional amounts that can increase the credit up to 35% of the production company’s base investment in the tax year. These are per production. Additional incentives include:

  • 25% of compensation for MT resident crew
  • 15% of compensation for non-MT resident crew
  • 20% of above-the-line compensation (actor, director, producer, writer)
  • 30% of compensation paid to a student enrolled in a MT college/university who works on the production for college credit
  • 10% of payments to MT colleges/universities for stage, equipment, rentals, or location fees for filming on campus
  • 10% of all in-studio facility/equipment expenditures that rents a studio for 20 days or more
  • 5% of expenditures in an underserved county
  • 5% for using “Filmed in Montana” screen credit logo
  • 25% of post-production wages

Administering the MEDIA Act

The MEDIA Act transferrable tax credit is administered by two Montana state agencies: the Department of Commerce and the Department of Revenue. Each department has its own set of rules, applications and fees.

Legislation

  • Senate Bill 326 – The MEDIA Act, Revised

Montana Code Anotated

  • MCA Title 15, Chapter 31, Part 10 1001-1012

Administrative Rules Governing the MEDIA Act for the Department of Commerce

  • 8.119.301: Definitions
  • 8.119.302: Application for State Certification of Production
  • 8.119.303: State Certification of Production
  • 8.119.304: Application for State Certification of Production with Base Investment of Less Than $350,000 but Greater Than $50,000
  • 8.119.305: State Certification of Production with Base Investment of Less Than $350,000 but Greater Than $50,000
  • 8.119.306: State Certified Productions Eligible to Use the Montana Screen Credit
  • 8.119.307: Revocation of State Certification
  • 8.119.308: Application for State Certification of Postproduction Company
  • 8.119.309: State Certification of Postproduction Company

Previous Legislation

  • House Bill 293 – The MEDIA Act
  • House Bill 340 – The MEDIA Act, Revised
  • Senate Bill 27 – The MEDIA Act, Revised


Helpful Documents When Applying

Application Instructions & Record Keeping Tips
These instructions assist in the application process for certification with the Montana Film Office and provide tips on record keeping, and submission of costs.
View PDF
Incentive Calculator Estimator
Enter potential expenditures, labor costs, and incentive percentages and calculate an estimated credit total. The calculations are to be used in the application form.
Get Started
Montana Secretary of State Filing Tips
At least 7-10 days BEFORE applying, register the production company with the Montana Secretary of State (SOS). The online application requires a current certificate to be uploaded to verify the production company is registered to do business in Montana.
View PDF
Underserved Counties & Montana Poverty Rate Map
This map shows the underserved counties and poverty rate in Montana. Filming in these counties qualifies for claiming 5% of expenditures in an underserved county. The data set may change from year to year, but the year in effect of the application follows the application.
View Map
Montana Colleges & Universities
30% of compensation paid to students enrolled in these Montana colleges and universities can be applied to the tax incentive if they receive college credit for working on your production.
View PDF
Business Startup Checklist
Steps to take when starting a Montana business.
View PDF

How to Apply

Productions must first apply for certification with the Department of Commerce's Film Office before any principal photography takes place. If certified eligible, productions will then apply with the Montana Department of Revenue. Information on the application process with that agency is at the bottom of this page.

An online application and required documents are required, along with a $500 non-refundable application fee.

Online applications are available on the Montana Grants and Loans portal. Applicants must first register to obtain their account credentials.

Select the appropriate button for Production or Post Production.

PRODUCTION Application:
MEDIA Tax Credit
POST Application:
MEDIA Tax Credit

Paying for the Application Fee

Click the appropriate button to pay the application fee online or mail in.

The $500 application fee may be paid online by clicking the button below. All major credit cards and ACH (e-checks) are accepted. Variable processing fees may apply.

Payment may be mailed/delivered to:

  • Montana Department of Commerce
    301 S Park, Room 129
    PO Box 200533
    Helena, MT 59601
PAY Filing Fee:
MEDIA Tax Credit

 Montana Department of Revenue

To claim the MEDIA tax credit, certified productions must submit a media tax credit application to the Montana Department of Revenue after they have completed principal photography. Productions will need to submit their Submission of Costs to the Department of Revenue within 60 days of principal photography (which includes wrap) to claim the tax credit in the same year as production.

For in-depth information on applying with the Department of Revenue, FAQs, and tax credit caps by calendar year, visit the agency’s site below.

DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE —
MEDIA TAX CREDIT INFORMATION

"Economic Impact of the Film Production Industry in Montana Report"

Film production generates significant economic activity for host communities, drawing out-of-town spending, generating jobs and bolstering local businesses. Because of this potential boost to local economies, the Montana Legislature passed the Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement Act (MEDIA Act) in 2019 to provide an income tax incentive to attract film, television and other media production to the state.

The “Economic Impact of the Film Production Industry in Montana Report” provides an analysis of the economic, fiscal and potential societal impacts of film and television production in Montana, and specifically evaluates the impacts associated with the MEDIA Act Tax Credit Program.

2019-2020
“ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MONTANA FILM PRODUCTION REPORT”
2020-2022
“ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MONTANA FILM PRODUCTION REPORT”
2022-2024
“ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MONTANA FILM PRODUCTION REPORT”
Econsult Solutions, Inc. completed an assessment of the economic impact of the MEDIA Tax Credit Program. As part of our analysis, we hope to understand the true impact of the film industry in Montana. In order to do so, we are asking for TV and filmmakers to complete a brief survey.
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