California AB 2319

The Personal Income Tax Law and the Corporation Tax Law allow various credits against the taxes imposed by those laws, including various motion picture credits, commonly referred to as motion picture credit 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0, and the certified studio credit, to be allocated by the California Film Commission in differing amounts equal to specified percentages of the qualified expenditures of a qualified motion picture in this state. Existing law establishes the continuously appropriated Tax Relief and Refund Account and the Corporation Tax Fund and provides that payments required to be made to taxpayers or other persons are to be paid from those funds. This bill would allow a credit against those taxes in an amount between 35% and 50% of qualified expenses relating to the post-production of a qualified motion picture in California to be allocated by the California Film Commission, as specified. The bill would require the credit to be administered in the same manner as the motion picture credit 4.0, except as specified. The bill would require the California Film Commission to utilize a post-production services ratio, as defined, to allocate credits, as specified. The bill would limit the aggregate amount of credits allocated in a fiscal year based on a determination made by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act plus additional amounts, as described. The bill would require that 85% of the total allocable credits are reserved for qualified taxpayers that attest, under penalty of perjury, that they will abide by specified labor condition requirements. By expanding the scope of the crime of perjury, this bill would impose a state-mandated locale program. This bill would allow a qualified taxpayer to elect to be paid a refund if the amount allowable as a credit exceeds the qualified taxpayer's tax liability for the taxable year, as specified. By requiring moneys to be paid from the Tax Relief and Refund Account and the Corporation Tax Fund, the bill would make an appropriation. Existing law requires any bill authorizing a new tax expenditure, as defined, to include tax credits, to contain, among other things, specific goals, purposes, and objectives that the tax credit will achieve, detailed performance indicators, and data collection requirements. This bill would include findings and reporting requirements in compliance with this requirement. The bill would require exchange of information between the Legislative Analyst's Office and other specified agencies in order to comply with these requirements. The bill would make the unauthorized disclosure of this information subject to existing law, the violation of which is a crime. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 17039 and 23036 of the Revenue and Taxation Code proposed by AB 2222 to be operative only if this bill and AB 2222 are enacted and this bill is enacted last. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.