Incentive Calculator

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Refundable tax creditSource: Virginia Film Office· Last verified 2026-06-09
Your budget
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Production details
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Estimated incentive
Researched
$165,000
13.8% of total budget · 15% of qualified spend
Total budget
$1,200,000
Qualified spend
$1,100,000
Base credit
$165,000
Uplift
$0
Line-by-line — why each number is what it is
Director · $150,000$22,500
15% on qualified in-jurisdiction spend · 15% on $150,000
Lead cast · $250,000$37,500
15% on qualified in-jurisdiction spend · 15% on $250,000
Local crew · $400,000$60,000
15% on qualified in-jurisdiction spend · 15% on $400,000
Camera & grip rental · $180,000$27,000
15% on qualified in-jurisdiction spend · 15% on $180,000
Locations & stage · $120,000$18,000
15% on qualified in-jurisdiction spend · 15% on $120,000
Post (out of state) · $100,000—
Does not match this program's qualifying-spend definition.
Uplifts & bonuses
Distressed-area / resident bonusNot applied
Not applied — condition not met. Bonuses for filming in economically distressed areas and for Virginia-resident payroll; a separate grant fund also exists.
From credit to cash

A refundable credit pays out in cash even if you owe no state tax: you file, the state applies the credit to any liability, and refunds the rest. Timing depends on the audit and filing cycle.

Gross credit$165,000
Refunded as cash (above liability)$165,000

Typical timing: ~12 months after audit/filing.

  • • Researched estimate — confirm exact rates, caps, and qualifying-spend rules with the film office before relying on these numbers.
Every figure is traceable to a named rule above.
This incentive is your first money in.

Drop it into a capital stack and see how the rest of the raise — equity, pre-sales, gap — fits, and how investors get paid back.

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This is an estimate, not advice.

Every number here is an estimate generated from published program rules and your inputs. Programs change with each legislative session, and qualification depends on details a calculator can't see. This is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Before you make a financing decision, confirm everything with the state film office and a qualified CPA and entertainment attorney.