Utilize recognizable cityscapes, rolling Appalachian landscapes and plentiful water locales in this region
Home to New York City (one of the densest creative hubs in the world), charming coastal towns and everything in between, the Mid-Atlantic region can accommodate projects with any setting. Whether you need to utilize the iconic skyline of Manhattan or Washington, D.C., or if you seek an underutilized main street of waterfront dock, this area will be able to accommodate. Many states here offer comprehensive tax incentives and large pools of local talent, so read below to determine which state best suits your vision and budget.
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Delaware Film Incentives
Delaware is a natural state that experiences all four seasons (and is tax-free). With picturesque locations like the breathtaking Wilmington skyline, Brandywine Park and DuPont mansions in the rolling Chateau Country, Delaware is a great filming location for many scripts. Towering lighthouses, pristine sandy beaches, the Wilmington cityscape, and many state parks and wildlife refuges make the Small Wonder worth a shot.
Incentive Type: Grants / Rebates
Incentive Amount: 0% – 30%
Minimum Spend: $100K
Bonus: Contact the film office.
Audit: No
Application: Case-by-case. Application and meetings with the film office must be completed before the start of production.
Sunset Date: None
Maryland Filming Benefits
Delectable fresh crabs and the idyllic Chesapeake Bay comprise the east. Sprawling horse farms and Baltimore and D.C. are situated to the west. Maryland boasts prime filming locations throughout the Free State for any project. Maryland’s close proximity to Washington, D.C., is incentive enough for some, as the district has strict filming laws. If popping over to Washington for a few shots isn’t feasible, the city of Baltimore makes for a great stand-in. Don’t forget the scenic mountains of Western Maryland.
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Incentive Type: Fully Refundable Tax Credit
Incentive Amount: 28% – 30%
Minimum Spend: $250K
Bonus: A 2% bonus is available for qualified TV series, including pilots or miniseries.
Audit: Yes
Application: Submit a completed Application for Preliminary Tax Credit Certification with required paperwork.
Sunset Date: June 30, 2026
New Jersey Filming Incentives
It’s “lights, camera, action!” in the Garden State thanks to its diverse culture and landscape, and its adjacency to New York City and Philadelphia. New Jersey offers all four seasons for filming any setting, whether down at the shore surrounded by lighthouses and expansive beaches or by the duck-covered lake and Old Mill in historic Allentown. Atlantic City is a favored stand-in for scenes in Las Vegas. Competitive tax incentives draw producers and filmmakers alike.
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Incentive Type: Fully Refundable Tax Credit
Incentive Amount: 30% – 39%
Minimum Spend: $1M (or 60% of total spend in NJ)
Bonus: Outside Radius Bonus: 5% bump on qualified expenses incurred for services/property to be used outside the Columbus Circle radius; Diversity Plan Bonus: 2% bump for productions that meet diversity criteria.
Audit: Yes
Application: Principal photography must commence within 180 days of the original film credit application date.
Film Sales Tax Relief: Yes
Sunset Date: June 30, 2039
New York Filming Tax Incentives
New York State offers incredible tax incentives to filmmakers. The unique and multifaceted state has a cornucopia of diverse filming locations that can double as almost any recognizable geographic locale. From the rugged Adirondack Mountains and Finger Lakes wine region to the vibrant Big Apple and beyond, New York can suit all scripts all tastes.
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Incentive Type: Fully Refundable Tax Credit
Incentive Amount: 30% – 40%
Minimum Spend: $1M
Bonus: Music Scoring: 10% bump for spending on music scoring, providing five musicians are hired to work in NYS; Production Plus Program: 5%-10% bump for production companies that submit two or more initial applications; Upstate Bonus: 10% bump on qualified labor expenses incurred in certain upstate counties.
Audit: Yes
Application: Productions must submit a completed application and required materials prior to the beginning of principal photography and begin production within 365 days.
Film Sales Tax Relief: Yes
Sunset Date: December 31, 2036
Pennsylvania Filming Benefits
Pennsylvania’s impeccably versatile environment provides myriad backdrops for Oscar-worthy results, including famous churches, diners and theaters. Enticing tax incentives draw producers and filmmakers here for another good reason: fee-free filming locations on state-owned land. A second motivation is that visitors staying more than 30 days do not have to pay state and local taxes on hotel accommodation.
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Incentive Type: Fully Transferable Tax Credit
Incentive Amount: 25% – 30%
Minimum Spend: At least 60% of the total production expenses must be incurred in Pennsylvania.
Bonus: Stage Bonus: 5% bump for productions that meet the minimum stage filming requirements.
Audit: Yes
Application: Submit a completed application package with fee no sooner than 90 days prior to the start date of principal photography i n PA.
Film Sales Tax Relief: Yes
Sunset Date: None
Virginia Filming Incentives
Virginia, with its rich historical heritage, diverse landscapes and picturesque towns, has become a sought-after location for filmmakers. The state’s blend of colonial history, rolling countryside and vibrant urban centers offers a versatile and captivating backdrop for various film genres. Filmmakers are drawn to Virginia for its unique historical settings and enticing production incentives. Notable films such as Lincoln, which authentically depicts the state’s historical landmarks, and Hidden Figures, featuring its beautiful and varied locales, showcase the Old Dominion State’s cinematic landscape.
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Incentive Type: Credit / Rebate combo
Incentive Amount: 15% – 35%
Minimum Spend: $250K
Bonus: Distressed Area Bonus: 5% bump if the production is filmed in an economically distressed area; Virginia Resident First-Time Industry Employee Credit: 10% credit of the total aggregate payroll for VA residents who are first-time actors or production crew members.
Audit: Yes
Application: Submit a completed application to the Virginia Film Office at least 30 days before the beginning of production.
Film Sales Tax Relief: Yes
Hotel Occupancy Tax Relief: Yes
Sunset Date: January 1, 2026
West Virginia Filming Tax Incentives
Across West Virginia, you’ll find a wealth of breathtaking Appalachian landscapes and charming small towns, all of which offer unique and compelling settings for filmmakers. Rugged mountains, scenic rivers and historic architecture all make for versatile backdrops that can be used for a wide range of genres. Notable films like October Sky, which captures the spirit of its coal mining towns, and We Are Marshall, featuring the state’s heartfelt community resilience, highlight the Mountain State’s cinematic allure.
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Incentive Type: Fully Transferable Tax Credit
Incentive Amount: 27% – 31%
Minimum Spend: $50K
Bonus: Local Bonus: 4% bump on all base credits for production companies that employ 10 or more WV residents.
Audit: Yes
Application: Applicants must submit a proposal to the Office of Economic Development to be accepted.
Film Sales Tax Relief: Yes
Sunset Date: December 31, 2027
