280-RICR-20-20-5
280-RICR-20-20-5. Rules and Regulations for the Certification of Motion Picture Production Tax Credits (version Adoption, 06/01/2008 to 12/28/2008)
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF
MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION COMPANY TAX CREDITS
RHODE ISLAND DIVISION OF TAXATION, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE,
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE
RHODE ISLAND FILM AND TELEVISION OFFICE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RULE 1. PURPOSE
RULE 2. AUTHORITY
RULE 3. APPLICATION
RULE 4. SEVERABILITY
RULE 5. DEFINITIONS
RULE 6. APPLICATIONS
RULE 7. CERTIFICATION OF A PRODUCTION
RULE 8. COMMENCEMENT OF PRODUCTION
RULE 9. COST REPORT
RULE 10. DETERMINATION OF TAX CREDIT
RULE 11. ISSUANCE OF TAX CREDIT
RULE 12. ASSIGNMENT OF MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION TAX
CREDIT
RULE 13. EFFECTIVE DATE
RULE 1. PURPOSE
These rules implement Chapter 44-31.2 of the Rhode Island General Laws. This Chapter,
also referred to within as RIGL Chapter 44-31.2, provides for the issuance of Motion
Picture Production Tax Credits. These rules govern the procedures for the application and
certification of these tax credits.
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RULE 2. AUTHORITY
These rules and regulations are promulgated pursuant to RIGL Chapter 44-31.2 as
amended by Chapters 19 and 20 of the Public Laws of 2006. These rules have been
prepared in accordance with the requirements of RIGL Chapter 42-35, the Rhode Island
Administrative Procedures Act.
RULE 3. APPLICATION
The terms and provisions of these rules and regulations shall be liberally construed to
permit the Division of Taxation and the Rhode Island Television and Film Office to
effectuate the purposes of RIGL Chapter 44-31.2 and other applicable state laws and
regulations.
RULE 4. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of these Rules and Regulations, or the application thereof to any person
or circumstances, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the
remainder of the Rules and Regulations shall not be affected thereby.
RULE 5. DEFINITIONS
A. “Act” means Chapter 44-31.2 of the Rhode Island General Laws, as amended.
B. “Above-The-Line Person” means a motion picture director, writer, producer or
featured actor. Motion picture directors, writers, producers, featured actors and their fees
are grouped within the “pre-production” or “production” section of a typical motion
picture budget, above a solid, bold line, separating these few “above-the-line” persons
from the majority of the “below-the-line” crew, other production and post-production
expenses.
C. “Accountant’s Certification” means a certified audit by a Rhode Island
certified public accountant licensed in accordance with Section 5-5- 3.1 of the Rhode
Island General Laws, as amended.
D. “Alternative Distribution Method” for the purposes of the Production Tax
Credit means an executed agreement among all participants of a pass-through entity, or
among all owners of a motion picture having multiple owners, setting forth the method
for allocation of the Motion Picture Production Tax Credit agreed upon by and among the
participants or co-owners. An alternative distribution method may include, without
limitation, a partnership agreement, an operating agreement of a limited liability
company, a shareholders agreement, or any other instrument executed by all participants
or co-owners.
E. “Amended Production” means one additional separate and distinct application
that is allowable for the same production for purposes such as “re-shoots”, “retakes”,
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added scenes or any additional production expenditures incurred and paid within the State
of Rhode Island (but not previously included in the cost report) provided that the motion
picture has already met the conditions required for, and has already been approved for
final certification by the Film Office. The amended application must individually meet
the statutory requirements for a state certified production. The additional production
expenditures shall be included in a separate cost report and require a separate
accountant’s certification.
F. “Applicant” means a motion picture production company, which is a
corporation, partnership, limited partnership, or other entity or individual, submitting an
application to the Film Office for initial or final certification of a production.
G. “Certificate of Motion Picture Production Tax Credit” means a certificate
issued by the Film Office, which states the amount of the Motion Picture Production Tax
Credit for which the production has qualified. The certificate shall include, but not be
limited to, the following information: specific and unique certificate number, name and
address of the approved applicant, name of the state certified production, name of the
qualified film to which the credit applies, date in which production completed, date of
final certification by the Film Office, the name and taxpayer identification number of
production company that incurred and paid state certified Rhode Island production
expenditures, total amount of state certified Rhode Island production expenditures, name
of initial holder of this certificate, taxpayer identification number of initial holder of this
certificate, and amount of credit allocated to initial holder of this Certificate.
H. “Completion of a Production” means the date of completion of a motion
picture’s production in the State of Rhode Island as certified to the Film Office as part of
the production’s cost report.
I. (a) “Costs” include, but are not limited to, the following expenses which shall
qualify
when
incurred
and
paid
within
the
State
of
Rhode
Island:
(1) set construction, set dressing and operation – labor and materials provided by a
qualified vendor where the labor and materials are actually and physically provided,
supplied, consumed or used within Rhode Island;
(2) wardrobes, make-up, accessories, props, expendables, supplies and related
services;
(3) costs associated with photography and sound synchronization, lighting, and related
services and materials including animation costs - labor and materials provided by a
qualified vendor where the labor and materials are actually and physically provided,
supplied, consumed or used within Rhode Island;
(4) editing and related services including, but not limited to, film processing, transfers
of film to tape or digital format, sound mixing, computer graphics services, special
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effects, and animation services – provided the work is performed or procured in the state
of Rhode Island;
(5) salary, wages, and other compensation, including related benefits, of persons
employed, either directly or indirectly, in the production of a film including, but not
limited to, writer, actor, motion picture director, producer (provided the work is
performed in the State of Rhode Island);
(6) rental of facilities, site locations and equipment located and procured in the State of
Rhode Island;
(7) leasing of vehicles from a qualified vendor where the vehicles are actually and
physically delivered, provided, supplied, consumed or used within Rhode Island;
(8) costs of food and lodging - procured or performed by a qualified vendor where the
food and lodging are actually and physically provided, delivered, supplied, consumed or
used within Rhode Island;
(9) music, if performed, composed, or recorded by a Rhode Island musician, or
released or published by a person domicile in Rhode Island;
(10) travel expenses incurred to bring persons employed, either directly or indirectly, in
the production of the film to Rhode Island (but not expenses of such persons departing
from Rhode Island); and
(11) legal (but not expense of completion bond or insurance) and accounting fees and
expenses related to the production’s activities in Rhode Island provided such services are
provided by Rhode Island licensed attorneys or accountants.
(b) Expenses that do not qualify as state certified production costs, include
without limitation, the following:
(1) any salaries, wages, and other compensation, including related benefits to
individuals who are located outside of the State of Rhode Island and performing services
outside the State of Rhode Island;
(2) any travel expenses for persons departing from the State of Rhode Island;
(3) any expense attributable to a completion bond;
(4) insurance expenses;
(5) any cost associated with the promotion or marketing of the production including
premier showings, special screenings and advertising;
(6) costs that were not incurred in Rhode Island; and
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(7) costs that have not been paid at the time of the application for final certification or
which have not been the subject of the accountant’s certification.
(c) In the case where props and other production assets are purchased, created or
acquired for a Rhode Island production and kept in inventory for future use, there must be
deducted from the cost incurred in Rhode Island the fair market value of the assets
remaining after initial use in Rhode Island. The fair market value shall be attested to by
an independent appraiser in a manner prescribed by the Director of the Rhode Island Film
Office.
Example: A prop is purchased from a qualified vendor for use in a production in the
State of Rhode Island at a cost of $5,000.00 and placed in storage at the end of
production. The fair market value of the prop at the end of production is certified to be
$4,000.00 by an independent appraiser. For purposes of the cost report, only the
$1,000.00 value consumed during production will be allowed.
J. “Costs Incurred within the State” means, in the case of tangible property, which is
acquired from or through a qualified vendor will constitute a cost incurred within the
State of Rhode Island where goods and materials are actually and physically provided,
supplied, consumed or used within Rhode Island and, in the case of services, shall mean
services performed within the State of Rhode Island.
Example 1: Wardrobe purchased or rented from a qualified vendor will constitute a cost
incurred within the State where the labor and materials are actually and physically
provided, supplied, produced, consumed or used within Rhode Island will constitute a
cost incurred within the State.
Example 2: Catering expenses and services provided by a qualified vendor will constitute
a cost incurred within the State where the labor and materials are actually and physically
provided, supplied, produced, consumed or used within Rhode Island will constitute a
cost incurred within the State.
Example 3: Props purchased or rented from a qualified vendor will constitute a cost
incurred within the State where the labor and materials are actually and physically
provided, supplied, produced, consumed or used within Rhode Island.
Example 4: Set construction materials, such as lumber and steel, purchased or rented
from a qualified vendor where the labor and materials are actually and physically
provided, supplied, produced, consumed or used within Rhode Island will constitute a
cost incurred within the State.
Example 5: Shipping expenses incurred to send materials and supplies to Rhode Island
will constitute a cost incurred within the State.
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K. “Division of Taxation” means that office within the Department of Revenue that
operates under the authority and direction of the Tax Administrator, pursuant to RIGL
§§44-1-1 et. seq.
L. “Domiciled in Rhode Island” means a corporation incorporated in Rhode Island or
a partnership, limited liability company, or other business entity formed under the laws of
the State of Rhode Island for the purpose of producing motion pictures, or an individual
who is a domiciled resident of Rhode Island as defined in the Rhode Island General Laws
Section 44-30. Such individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or
other entity, is subject to the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island including, but not
limited to, Chapters 44-11, 44-12 and 44-30.
M. “Feature-Length Film” means a production intended for commercial distribution
to a motion picture theater or directly to the home video market that has a running time of
at least seventy-five (75) minutes in length.
N. “Film Office” means the Rhode Island Film and Television Office, as defined in
RIGL §42-75-12.
O. “Film Office Director” means the Director of the Rhode Island Film and
Television Office.
P. “Inspection” means a visit by an authorized representative of the Film Office to a
property, including a set, a soundstage, a location or production office.
Q. “Loan-Out Company” means and includes a corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, S-corporation, association, nominee trust, or any other entity through
which an artist is loaned out to perform services for the motion picture production
company. Regardless of structure, employees of such “loan-out companies” shall be
subject to all applicable provisions of the Rhode Island personal income tax and any
applicable payroll or other tax provisions.
R. “Motion picture” means feature-length film, video, video game, television series,
or commercial made in Rhode Island, in whole or in part, for theatrical or television
viewing or as a television pilot. Motion picture shall not include the production of
television coverage of news or athletic events, nor shall it apply to any film, video,
television series or commercial or production for which records are required under
Section 2257 of Title 18, U.S.C., to be maintained with respect to any performer in such
production or reporting of books, films, etc. with respect to sexually explicit conduct.
S. “Motion Picture Production Company” means a corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, or other business entity, domiciled in Rhode Island, and engaged in the
business of producing one or more motion pictures. Generally, the motion picture
production company controls the state certified motion picture during production and is
responsible for payment of the direct production expenses (including pre- and post-
production), and is a signatory to the state certified motion picture’s contracts with its
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payroll company and facility operators. Motion picture production company shall not
mean or include:
(a) any company owned, affiliated, or controlled, in whole or in part by any
company or person which is in default (i) on taxes owed to the state; or (ii) on a loan
made by the state; or (iii) a loan guaranteed by the state; or,
(b) any company or person who has ever declared bankruptcy under which an
obligation of the company or person to pay or repay public funds or monies was
discharged as a part of such bankruptcy.
T. “Qualified Vendor” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability
company or other business entity, that (1) provides goods and services to a state certified
motion picture during production; (2) who maintains a place of business in Rhode Island;
(3) is subject to Rhode Island taxation; and (4) is qualified to do business in Rhode Island
U. “Participant” means a partner in a partnership, member of a limited liability
company, or shareholder of an S-corporation, a beneficial owner of a trust, or any other
person having an interest in a pass-through entity.
V. “Pass Through Entity” means a partnership, limited liability company, S-
corporation, association, nominee trust, or any other entity, the tax attributes of which are
passed through to the participants in such entity.
W. “Post-Production” means the final stage in a state certified motion picture’s
production after principal and ongoing photography is completed, including, but not
limited to, editing, Foley Recording, Automatic Dialogue Replacement, sound editing,
special effects, scoring and music editing, beginning and end credits, negative cutting,
soundtrack production, the addition of sound/visual effects, dubbing, and subtitling.
Advertising and marketing activities and expenses are not included in post-production.
X. “Pre-Production” means costs directly related to the production, which are
incurred prior to the first day of principal photography for a state certified motion picture.
For example, the establishment of a dedicated production office, the hiring of key crew
members such as a Unit Production Manager, Line Producer and Location Manager, and
includes, but is not limited to, activities such as location scouting, hiring of crew, and
execution of contracts with vendors of equipment and stage space.
Y. “Primary Locations” means the locations within which at least fifty-one percent
(51%) of the motion picture’s total principal photography days are filmed.
Z. “Principal Photography and/or Animation” means the filming and/or animation of
major and significant portions of a state certified motion picture that involves the lead
actors and/or animators..
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AA. “State Certified Production” means a motion picture production approved by the
Rhode Island Film & Television Office and produced by a motion picture production
company domiciled in Rhode Island, whether or not such company owns or controls the
copyright and distribution rights in the motion picture; provided that such company has
either: (a) signed a viable distribution plan; or (b) is producing the motion picture for: (i)
a major motion picture distributor; (ii) a major theatrical exhibitor; (iii) a television
network; or (iv) a cable television programmer. Additionally, the production must be
produced with the motion picture’s “primary locations” being filmed within the State of
Rhode Island and with a “total production budget” of a minimum of three hundred
thousand dollars ($300,000).
BB. “State Certified Production Costs” means any pre-production, production, and
post-production cost directly attributable to activity within this state that a motion picture
company incurs and pays to the extent that it occurs within the State of Rhode Island.
The term refers to a production certified by the State of Rhode Island under the Act and
should not be taken to infer that the State of Rhode Island is certifying the production
costs.
CC. “Television Pilot” means the initial episode produced for a proposed episodic
television series. This category will include shorter formats which are known as
“television presentation”, a production of at least fifteen (15) minutes in length, produced
for the purposes of selling a proposed television series, but not intended for broadcast.
DD. “Television Series” which may also be known as “episodic television series”
means a regularly occurring production, live action, animation or a combination of the
two, intended in its initial run for broadcast on television, whether free or via
subscription-based service, that has a running time of at least thirty (30) minutes in length
(inclusive of commercial advertisement and interstitial programming).
EE. “Total Production Budget” means and includes the motion picture production
company’s pre-production, production and post-production costs incurred for the
production activities of the production company in Rhode Island in connection with the
making of the state certified production. The budget shall not include costs associated
with the promotion or marketing of the film, video, or television product.
.RULE 6. APPLICATIONS
A. Applications for designation of a motion picture production as a state
certified production shall be made on State Certification Application forms. These forms
are available from the Film Office at One Capitol Hill, Third Floor, Providence, Rhode
Island 02908 or from the Film Office’s website at www.film.ri.gov. The Initial
Application is used to request initial certification of a motion picture production and must
be filed with the Film Office before the commencement of Rhode Island production
activities. The Final Application is used after the completion of Rhode Island production
activities to request final certification of the production and the issuance by the Film
Office of any credit documents relating to the completion of a state certified production.
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B. Application for Initial Certification of a Production. The applicant shall
properly prepare, sign and submit the Initial Certification Application form to the Film
Office. This part of the application, when completed, contains information regarding
both the motion picture production company and a specific Rhode Island motion picture
such that the Film Office may make a determination pertaining to the initial certification
of the production. The information shall include the following and any other data the
Film Office determines necessary for the proper evaluation and administration of the
application:
(a) identification information: name and address of applicant, name of contact
person, telephone numbers and email addresses; Federal Employer Identification
number[s]; the production company’s Rhode Island address (including Federal Employer
Identification number, contact person, telephone numbers and email addresses); brief
background and structure of the company, and information about other companies which
are related, affiliated, or controlled by the motion picture production company and which
are expected to be involved in the production.
(b) timing information: anticipated start date; anticipated completion date;
proposed schedule; and estimated number of principal photography days to be filmed in
Rhode Island and outside of Rhode Island.
(c) financial information: proposed total production budget, estimated disclosed
motion picture budget (expenditures within the State of Rhode Island), and information
for each of the “above the line” individuals as to whether they will be employees of the
motion picture production company or, if not, the name of the entity by which they will
be employed. Additionally, the applicant will estimate the anticipated amount of Rhode
Island motion picture production tax credit from this production.
(d) operational information: brief description of the motion picture production,
including:
(1) story synopsis and screenplay for proposed motion picture production;
(2) a statement as to whether the company owns or controls the copyright and
distribution rights in the motion picture; and,
(3) a copy of the signed viable distribution plan or evidence that the production
company is producing the motion picture for a major motion picture distributor, a major
theatrical exhibitor, a television network or a cable television programmer.
(e) other information: the anticipated days each “above the line” person (i.e.,
producers, motion picture director, writers and featured actors) is scheduled to perform
work in Rhode Island; copies of documents evidencing that the motion picture production
company is formed under the laws of the State of Rhode Island; and one paragraph each
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regarding production plans for internship, diversity and training programs in Rhode
Island.
C. Application for Final Certification of a Production. When production is
completed, the applicant shall submit a completed application for final certification to the
Film Office. This application contains information regarding both the motion picture
production company and the specific Rhode Island motion picture (which has previously
been granted initial certification from the Film Office) and provides documentation that
the completed state certified motion picture production is consistent with the work
described in the initial certification. Such final application shall be filed within three (3)
years after the date Rhode Island production activities have finished. The final
application must also contain a cost report and an “accountant’s certification” to evidence
the motion picture production company’s compliance with all provisions of RIGL
Section 44-31.2-2(5). The Film Office and the Division of Taxation may rely, without
independent investigation, upon the accountant’s certification confirming the accuracy of
the information included in the cost report.
The application for final certification information shall, in addition to the items above,
include all the following information, and any other information that the Film Office
determines necessary for proper evaluation and administration of the applicaton:
(a) identification data: name and address of applicant (including contact person,
telephone numbers and email addresses); Federal Employer Identification number[s]; the
production company’s Rhode Island address, (including Federal Employer Identification
number, contact person, telephone numbers and email addresses); and, for compliance
purposes the name, address and Federal Employer Identification number or Social
Security number of each company related, affiliated or controlled by the motion picture
production company as of the production’s completion date, a description and amount of
the relationship, affiliation or control and a copy of the initial certification letter showing
the unique identifying number assigned by the Film Office.
(b) timing information: actual start date; actual completion date; the daily
schedule of the entire production; and actual number of principal photography days
filmed in Rhode Island and outside of Rhode Island.
(c) financial information: actual data for the total production budget, the
disclosed motion picture budget (combined expenditures within the State of Rhode Island
and outside the State of Rhode Island);
(d) operational information: final script for the motion picture production; all
travel schedules and data for “above-the-line” persons arriving and departing the State of
Rhode Island including the actual number of days each performed work in Rhode Island;
location of soundstage and one paragraph each regarding how the production applied
internship, diversity and training programs.
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(e) maximum credit calculation: based on the production costs incurred and
paid and other information in the application for final certification, the applicant will
calculate an estimate of the total amount of production credits associated with the
production and show a comparison between the estimated total credits and the total
production budget.
(f) miscellaneous information: a list of the loan out companies, temporary
agencies, employee leasing companies, professional employee organizations that have
provided services to the motion picture production company within the State of Rhode
Island, and a list of qualified vendors that have sold and/or rented goods to the motion
picture company for use within the State of Rhode Island. This information shall be filed
directly with the Division of Taxation who, in turn, shall advise the Film Office, in
writing, of its receipt.
(g) signature of applicant including title and date.
RULE 7. CERTIFICATION OF A PRODUCTION
A. Initial Certification of a Production: Where necessary documentation is not
provided, review and evaluation will be delayed and initial certification may be denied
on the basis of lack of information. Because the circumstances of each production are
unique, initial certifications that have been granted to one productions shall not be used
nor relied upon by applicants for other productions.
The Film Office will complete its review for initial certification requests within 30
business days of receiving a complete, adequately documented application. Where
adequate information is not provided, the Film Office will notify the applicant of the
additional information needed to complete the review. The Film Office will adhere to
this time period as closely as possible, but failure to complete a review within the
designated period does not waive or alter any certification requirement nor does it imply
approval.
B. Initial Certification Letter: Once completed, the Film Office will issue initial
certification of the motion picture production in the form of a letter issued to the motion
picture production company and to the Tax Administrator. The letter states that, after
appropriate review, the initial application meets the appropriate criteria for conditional
eligibility. The letter of initial certification is only a statement of conditional eligibility
for the production and, as such, does not grant or convey any Rhode Island tax benefits.
If the Film Office denies initial certification, the applicant may appeal that decision under
the provisions of RIGL §44-31.2-8.
The letter of initial certification includes, but is not limited to, the following information:
name and address of the applicant, the name of the motion picture production, the
effective date for the production, taxpayer identification number of the motion picture
production company, and a unique identifying number assigned by the Film Office and
required for each production. The letter also gives notice that, upon completion of the
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production, the application for final certification must be completed including the receipt
of a Rhode Island Certificate of Good Standing for the production company to verify the
production company’s compliance with all provisions of RIGL §44-31.2-2(5).
C. Final Certification of a Production: Where necessary documentation is not
provided, review and evaluation will be delayed and final certification may be denied on
the basis of lack of information. Because the circumstances of each production are
unique, final certifications that have been granted to one production shall not be used nor
relied upon by applicants for other productions.
The Film Office will complete its review for final certification requests within ninety (90)
business days of receiving a complete application. When adequate information is not
provided, the Film Office will notify the applicant of the additional information needed to
complete the review. The Film Office will adhere to this time period as closely as
possible, but failure to complete a review within the designated period does not waive or
alter any certification requirement nor does it imply approval.
The Film Office will determine the final certification of the production and issue a
written determination to the applicant either denying or granting certification. Depending
upon the determination, the Film Office will determine the amount of Rhode Island
Motion Picture Production Tax Credit and issue the Certificate[s] pursuant thereto. If the
Film Office denies final certification, the applicant may appeal the Film Office’s decision
under the provisions of RIGL §44-31.2-8.
D. Film Office Decisions, Reliance on Application: Certifications are only issued in
writing by the Film Office Director or other duly authorized representative of the Film
Office. Decisions with respect to initial and final certifications are made on the basis of
the information contained in the application form and other available information. The
applicant’s signature on any application form is a representation to the Film Office that
the facts contained therein are true and correct, and the Film Office is entitled to rely
thereon. If, at any time, it comes to the attention of the Film Office that information
is/was misstated, misrepresented or omitted or is materially inconsistent with
representations made in an application, the Film Office may deny the requested
certification or revoke a certification previously given. Upon revocation of any
certification, the production company must surrender any and all issued certificates or
remit payment equal to the face value of any previously transferred certificates. In such
cases, the applicant may appeal the Film Office’s decision under the provisions of RIGL
§44-31.2-8.
Because the circumstances of each production are unique, certifications that may have
been granted to other productions that are not specifically applicable may not be relied on
by applicants as applicable to other projects.
RULE 8. COMMENCEMENT OF PRODUCTION
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A. Once production has begun, the Film Office should be notified in writing by the
applicant/production company that, on a specific date, the actual production, including
the principal photography, has commenced. In the event that applicant’s principal
photography on a State certified motion picture does not actually begin within one
hundred eighty (180) days of the issuance of the initial certification letter, the applicant
shall be required to resubmit the application for initial certification.
B. Recurrent Productions: If a motion picture production company produces a
television series, then production work on any given “season” of such series completed in
any one calendar year shall be considered a separate and distinct state certified
production for the purposes of certification. In the case that a motion picture production
company produces a television “pilot” or “movies of the week”, then such “pilot” or
“movie of the week” shall be considered a separate and distinct state certified production
for the purpose of the issuance of credit certificates. Any additional “season”, “pilot” or
“movie of the week” will be treated as a separate production and the applicant must
repeat the application process and the production must meet all appropriate criteria.
C. Amended Productions: In the event that the production company requests the
Film Office to approve an amended production for a motion picture that has already
obtained final certification, applicant must repeat the application process and the
amended production must meet all appropriate criteria.
D. Film Office’s Inspection Rights: The Film Office shall have the right at
reasonable times to enter upon any set, soundstage, location or production office that is
the subject of an application for certification, whether the motion picture production is
proposed, ongoing, or completed, to verify that the motion picture production is as
represented
RULE 9. COST REPORT
A. As a part of the completed application for final certification of the production and
the basis on which the credits are calculated, the production costs and Cost Report are
crucial to the Film Office’s deliberations concerning the certification of the production.
As part of the final certification, the Cost Report must be accompanied by an
“accountant’s certification” of the items to which it pertains. The Film Office and the
Division of Taxation may rely, without independent investigation, upon the accountant’s
certification confirming the accuracy of the information included in the Cost Report as
well as the motion picture production company’s compliance with RIGL §44-31-2.2(5).
B. The Cost Report is a crucial part of and attachment to the application for final
certification of a motion picture production. It contains (a) the date of completion of the
motion picture’s production in the State of Rhode Island, (b) the amount and listing of
production costs incurred and actually paid within the State of Rhode Island with respect
to the motion picture as set forth in the rules herein, (c) that the motion picture’s total
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production budget is at least $300,000, and (d) the cost report shall be in a format as
prescribed by the Director of the Film Office.
RULE 10. DETERMINATION OF CREDIT
The amount of the Motion Picture Production Company Tax Credit shall be determined
by the Film Office to equal twenty-five percent (25%) of the state certified production
costs of a completed state certified production, as shown in the application for final
certification and as verified by the accountant’s certification.
RULE 11. ISSUANCE OF TAX CREDITS
A. Concurrent with the final certification of the production, the Film Office, based
upon the Certification shall also issue written, individual Motion Picture Production Tax
Credit Certificate[s] to the motion picture production company, as allocated under its
organizational documents, or to one or more transferees. The motion picture production
company must provide the names, addresses and taxpayer identification numbers of such
Participants or transferees. Credits allowed to a motion picture production company
which is a subchapter S-corporation, partnership, or limited liability company that is
taxed as a partnership, shall be passed through respectively to the Participants a pro rata
basis or pursuant to an executed agreement among such persons designated as subchapter
S-corporation shareholders, partners, or members. This writing documents an alternate
distribution method without regard to their sharing of other tax or economic attributes of
such entity. Each certificate will bear the unique identification number that was issued to
the production as part of its initial certification.
B. Film Office’s Right to Deny or Revoke Credit. If, at any time, it comes to the
attention of the Film Office or the Division of Taxation that information is/was misstated,
misrepresented or omitted or is materially inconsistent with representations made in an
application, the Film Office may deny the requested certification or revoke a certification
previously given. In such cases, the applicant may appeal the Film Office’s decision
under the provisions of RIGL §44-31.2-8.
RULE 12. ASSIGNMENT OF MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION TAX
CREDIT
A. Each Certificate of Motion Picture Production Tax Credit may be assigned, with
or without consideration, transferred, or sold if it has not been previously claimed, in
whole or in part, against the taxes of the motion picture production company or the taxes
of the owner of the certificate. A single transfer or sale may involve one or more
transferees, assignees or purchasers. The transferees and sellers must submit notice of the
assignment, transfer or sale within thirty (30) days to the Film Office and to the Tax
Administrator. The Film Office shall assess and collect an administrative fee of two
hundred dollars ($200) for issuing multiple tax credit certificates or for reissuing
certificates. In addition, the Film Office will also collect an administrative fee of two
hundred dollars ($200) on behalf of the Division of Taxation.
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B. Assignment of Certificate - A Motion Picture Production Tax Credit
Certificate may be assigned, transferred or sold to any person, whether or not such person
has an ownership interest in the state certified production, provided that no credit has
been claimed based on the certificate being assigned, transferred or sold. The certificate
shall be assigned by endorsing the assignment clause on the certificate and delivery of the
original certificate to the assignee, transferee or purchaser.
C. Notification of Assignment - It shall be required that written notification is
filed with the Division of Taxation and the Film Office of the assignment, transfer or
sale, of all or a portion the Motion Picture Production Tax Credit. Notification
submitted to the Tax Division and the Film Office shall be done in accordance with the
rules herein. Failure to comply will result in the disallowance of the credit until the
taxpayer is in full compliance. Notice to the Tax Division shall include:
(a) a copy of the Credit Certificate, endorsed to the assignee. The original
Certificate shall not be included with the notification since it must be retained by the
assignee, transferee or purchaser and attached to his/her/their/its tax return for the year
for which credit is claimed;
(b) the name, address and telephone number of the assignor, transferor or seller
and those of the assignee, transferee or purchaser;
(c) the taxpayer identification number or social security number of the parties;
in addition, for non-resident corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, or
other entities the name and address of such entity’s registered agent in Rhode Island and
evidence of qualification to do business in Rhode Island.
D. Multiple Assignees; Re-issuance of Certificate - If the holder or assignee of a
credit certificate has not used the credit certificate, in whole or in part, against its taxes
and desires to assign, transfer or sell its interest in the credit to more than one party, the
holder must request the Film Office to reissue the original certificate in such number of
certificates as the holder requires. The request must be in writing, must specify the
number of new certificates required and the amount to be specified on each certificate,
and must attach the original certificate for cancellation by the Film Office.
RULE 13. EFFECTIVE DATE
These Rules and Regulations shall take effect 20 days after filing with the Secretary of
State’s Office.
DAVID M. SULLIVAN, TAX ADMINISTRATOR