Referencing our new film tax credits paper, the Las Vegas Review-Journal explains that the state makes the taxA tax is a mandatory payment or charge collected by local, state, and national governments from individuals or businesses to cover the costs of general government services, goods, and activities. code good for everyone, not just select industries:
Unlike other cities around the country, Las Vegas is such an exciting location that Nevada does not have to offer tax incentives to get motion picture and television companies to film there.
“That’s what has saved us during this incentive war,” said Charles Geocaris, the director of the Nevada Film Office.[…]
Geocaris contends [the Film Office’s] return on investment would be the envy of any business.
Film production companies even pay the police costs when a highway or street is closed for a film production in Las Vegas, unlike New York, he said.
Daniel Burns, the communications director for Gov. Jim Gibbons, said Nevada isn’t in a position to offer tax incentives to film companies.
When Lorraine Hunt was lieutenant governor, there were discussions to exempt film company trucks from gasoline taxes, but Burns said that idea was rejected.
“Nevada already is a tax-friendly state,” he said.
Ideally a state’s tax and regulatory climate shouldn’t necessitate a dedicated office to help citizens and businesses navigate it. But as a relative matter, Nevada manages to be a winner in the film game without writing checks like other states do.
The full article here. Our report here.
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