Rhode Island

PRIOR to the start of production activities in the state, submit an application for initial certification; start principal photography within 180 days of initial certification letter; film at least 51% of principal photography days in Rhode Island (RI); and meet the minimum in-state spend of at least $100,000. Productions incurring and paying a minimum of $10 million in qualifying expenditures over a 12-month period are allowed to waive the 51% principal photography requirement. Documentaries that do not film their principal photography in RI are eligible if they spend at least 51% of their final production budget and employ at least five individuals (may be residents or nonresidents, direct hires or loan outs) in RI or see that 51% of the total production days, including preproduction and postproduction, take place in RI. The production company must be incorporated or formed in RI and all funds must flow through a Rhode Island bank account. Loan out companies must be registered with the Secretary of State.

Qualified spend includes preproduction, production, and postproduction costs when incurred and paid within the state. Tangible property must be acquired from or through a qualified vendor. Resident and nonresident wages are eligible provided the services are performed in RI. Some costs that do not qualify include travel expenses for persons departing from RI; completion bond expenses; insurance expenses, including workers’ compensation; any salaries and wages, including related benefits, for individuals who are located and performing services outside the state; and expenses incurred prior to filing a completed initial certification application. For Musical and Theatrical Stage productions total production, performance, and transportation expenditures, as defined, qualify for the incentive.

This program is administered on a first-come, first-served basis. RI offers a Motion Picture Production (MPP) and Musical and Theatrical Production (MTP) tax credit program. Each program allows for a transferable tax credit equal to 30% of certified costs. Not more than $20 million per calendar year may be awarded under the MPP and MTP tax credit programs. The maximum credit a single MPP project may earn is $7 million (which will automatically be waived for a feature-length film or television series if funds are available at the time of initial certification) while each MTP project is capped at $5 million. Both the MPP program and the MTP program sunset on June 30, 2029. Costs must be certified by a Rhode Island certified public accountant.