Flick Wizard / Film Incentive Directory


Flick Wizard > Film Incentive Directory > Jurisdictions > California > Film & Television Tax Credit Program 4.0

Part of California

Primary Jurisdiction
California
Incentive Mechanisms
Tax Credit
Benefit Summary
35% standard; 40% relocating TV; 35% independent film
Bonus Details
5% out-of-zone; 5% visual effects; 10% local-hire labor for non-independent projects; 5% local-hire labor for independent films and relocating TV
Refundable
Yes
Transferable
Limited
Minimum Spend
$1M feature budget; $1M per TV episode; $1M pilot budget
Annual Cap
$750M per fiscal year
Per-Project Cap
$42M non-independent; $48M relocating TV; $7M independent film
Eligible Project Types
Feature films; independent films; TV series; pilots; limited series; animation; large-scale competition shows; relocating TV series
Administering Agency
California Film Commission
Official Source URL
https://film.ca.gov/tax-credit/the-basics-4-0/
Stacking Notes
Program includes built-in out-of-zone, visual-effects, and local-hire uplifts on qualifying spend. The cited official page does not identify a separate local public incentive stack outside these uplifts.
Incentive Status
Active
Last Verified
March 22, 2026
Notes
Program 4.0 runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030. Eligibility also requires either 75% California spend or 75% of principal photography days in California. Transferability is limited to independent film treatment on the cited program page.