Incentive Calculator

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GrantSource: North Carolina Department of Commerce· Last verified 2026-06-07
Your budget
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Production details
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Estimated incentive
Verified
$0
0% of total budget · 0% of qualified spend
Below North Carolina's minimum qualified spend — no credit earned yet.
Total budget
$1,200,000
Qualified spend
$1,100,000
Base credit
$275,000
Uplift
$0
Line-by-line — why each number is what it is
Director · $150,000$37,500
25% of qualifying North Carolina expenses · 25% on $150,000
Lead cast · $250,000$62,500
25% of qualifying North Carolina expenses · 25% on $250,000
Local crew · $400,000$100,000
25% of qualifying North Carolina expenses · 25% on $400,000
Camera & grip rental · $180,000$45,000
25% of qualifying North Carolina expenses · 25% on $180,000
Locations & stage · $120,000$30,000
25% of qualifying North Carolina expenses · 25% on $120,000
Post (out of state) · $100,000—
Does not match this program's qualifying-spend definition.
From credit to cash

A direct payment from the state after a CPA audit and compliance sign-off. There's no buyer or broker — the headline figure is the cash, paid on the state's timeline.

Gross rebate/grant$0
Paid after audit$0

Typical timing: ~6 months after audit/filing.

  • • Minimum qualifying spend varies by project: $1.5M feature, $500K per episode (series) or per made-for-TV movie, $250K commercial.
  • • Loan-out payments qualify only if NC 4% gross-income withholding is remitted; per-person comp counts only up to $1M.
  • • Minimum qualified spend of $1,500,000 not met ($1,100,000 qualified). No credit is earned until the threshold is reached.
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.