Research Magazine 2022

Pro-Bono Research and Reports on Georgia FilmTax Credits JC Bradbury

Overview In 2020, I published a study on state film-incentive programs in Contemporary Economic Policy. It found that states with film-incentive programs do not accrue positive macroeconomic effects. In response to local interest, I focused on Georgia and published a policy brief, “Film tax credits and the economic impact of the film industry on Georgia’s economy.” The brief presents important data and evidence showing that Georgia’s film tax-credit program cost the state treasury almost $1 billion annually, equivalent to more than $200 per household. The number of workers employed in the film industry (16,000) is far less that claimed, at a subsidy cost of $119,000 per full-time job. Overall, Georgia’s film tax-credit program is costly, largely a transfer from state taxpayers to out-of-state film studios, and does not yield the substantial economic development benefits to the state proponents claim. My findings are consistent with recently conducted state audits.

18 | Community Engagement

Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs