Dallas Hopes to Boost Economy With TV and Film Tax Breaks

The Dallas Morning News reports that the entire Texas city could soon be designated a media production and development zone. The city council unanimously approved asking the state to bequeath the designation, which “would let Dallas offer sales and use tax exemptions for two years to projects that involve the construction, expansion or renovation of a media production facility,” writes Everton Bailey Jr. According to Bailey, the incentive program was approved by the state in 2009 to encourage development of more TV and film production sites to boost the state’s economy.

Bailey reports that the city has already selected a first project, the renovation of South Side Studios in South Dallas, which could boost economic activity by $13.6 million and bring in 86 new jobs, at the cost to the city of $150,000 in sales tax money and another $456,000 in tax revenue. The zone designation would last for at least five years, and cities can request up to three projects to receive tax exemptions at a time. Other Texas cities with existing zones include Austin, Fort Worth, and Midlothian.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, at least 18 states have enacted measures to implement or expand film tax incentives since 2021.