The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) is designed to build the economy through the moving image industry and create jobs in Texas. TMIIIP provides qualifying film, television, commercial, visual effects and video game productions the opportunity to receive a cash grant based on a percentage of a project's eligible Texas expenditures, including eligible wages paid to Texas residents. Grants vary by budget levels and types of productions, and are issued upon completion of a review of the project's Texas expenditures. This incentive program is in addition to Texas' Sales Tax Exemptions.

Administered by the Texas Film Commission, the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program is cash grant based on in-state spending on feature film, television and commercial projects that offers up to 22.5% back depending on production spend.

The incentive has three tiers based on spend:

5% for $250,000 - $1 million
10% for $1 million - $3.5 million
20% for $3.5 million & up

An additional 2.5% is available to productions that film in underutilized areas.
Austin's Under Utilized Areas Map

The incentive is based on wages, invoices and petty cash:

70% of paid crew and paid cast (including extras) must be Texas residents.
60% of total production days must be completed in Texas.

Austin Creative Content Incentive Program
Administered by the City of Austin--Economic Development Department, the Austin Creative Content Incentive Program offers incentives of up to 0.75% to qualifying film and television productions.

0.50% of wages paid to local residents (Austin Metro Area).
0.25% if the project is produced by Austin-based company or promotes Austin.
Productions must first qualify for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program.

Sales Tax Exemptions
Production companies may use tax exemption on items rented or purchased for direct use in the production of a motion picture, television and commercial project.

Hotel Occupancy Tax Exemptions
Refund on the hotel occupancy tax for hotel rooms occupied for at least 30 consecutive days. The Hotel must be notified at check-in for the tax to be waived at checkout.

Tax Refunds on Fuels Used Off Road
Refund of taxes paid on gasoline used for off-road machines like generators, boats and tractors.

Austin Film Society Grant
The Austin Film Society annually awards grants to emerging film and video artists in the state of Texas through the AFS Grant Program. Since 1996, $1.6 million in cash has been give to to over 421 film projects. In addition to grants for production, post-production and distribution, AFS also provides stipends to filmmakers traveling to film festivals through their Travel Grant program.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DALLAS INCENTIVES

http://www.houstonfilmcommission.com/production-and-resources/texas-production-incentives/

See the Texas Film Commission page at:

http://gov.texas.gov/film/incentives/miiip