Entertainment Industry Tax Exemptions

•No tax on the sale or leasing of movie, video, and sound recording equipment. This exemption takes the form of a rebate and applies to any equipment used in making any kind of film or recording.
• No tax on the rental of films or the leases to food and drink concessions for theaters.
• No tax on the renting or leasing of real property used as an integral part of motion picture production. Renting studios, sound stages, lots, buildings or any other real estate are exempt. This exemption applies to small, independent operations and to major studio facilities such as Disney and MCA/Universal.
• No tax on the artistic or copyrightable material on master tapes, films and records. Transactions involving masters are taxed only on the value of the blank film or tape. The value of all the major cost components of making a master (such as artistic services, processing, and copyrights and royalties) is excluded from taxation when the master is sold or leased.
• No tax on a film, commercial, or sound recording made for a company’s own use.

For more information about Florida as a filming or recording location, contact:
Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office
2601 Cattleman Road, Suite 201
Sarasota, Florida 34232
941-309-1200 f 941-309-1209
www.filmsarasota.com