US film and television production tax incentive trends

Film and television production in the Northeastern United States is seeing significant growth, though the economic efficiency of state tax incentives is under debate.

In New Jersey, production has increased due to a tax credit program offering up to 35% of qualified expenses. In 2024, the state hosted 555 projects, generating an estimated $834 million in spending. Major productions, such as ‘Happy Gilmore 2’, have contributed significantly to this local economy.

Similarly, New York City has experienced a surge in production spending, which rose 87% to $1.61 billion in the third quarter of 2026. Officials attribute this growth to streamlined permitting processes and improved communication between municipal agencies and production companies under Film Commissioner Rafael Espinal. While soundstages are reaching capacity, the state’s incentive programs face scrutiny. Production incentives included in the fiscal year 2026 budget are set to remain in effect until 2036.

In 2025, New York paid a record $1.2 billion in tax credits. Critics point to high costs per full-time job, noting that the subsidies averaged $68,538 per job. Some specific productions, such as Warner Bros. ‘Companion’, reportedly cost taxpayers over $114,000 per full-time equivalent job. An analysis of Empire State Development data suggests that between 2018 and 2022, the state received approximately $0.31 in tax revenue for every dollar spent on these subsidies.