ATLANTA – State Representative Erica Thomas (D-Austell), co-chair of the Georgia Entertainment Caucus, commends the House passage of House Bill 1330, or the Georgia Music and Theatre Jobs Recovery Act. This bipartisan legislation seeks to amend current tax credits for musical or theatrical productions to help these industries recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“On behalf of the Georgia Entertainment Caucus, I want to thank my colleagues in the Georgia House for giving their bipartisan support of this important bill,” said Rep. Thomas. “Our entertainment industries have flourished since we first established tax incentives that draw these productions and creative minds to our state, and this bill would allow these industries and their workers to call Georgia their home for many years to come. It was an honor to vote ‘yes’ on HB 1330 during my final legislative session as a state representative.”
The Georgia Music and Theatre Jobs Recovery Act would amend tax credits for musical or theatrical performances in several ways. This legislation would increase the existing tax credit from 15 to 30 percent for musical and theatre productions, as well as establish annual aggregate caps on the tax credit through 2027. This bill would also lower the spending threshold that is required for all musical or theatrical performances from $500,000 to $100,000, music recorded for a movie, television or interactive entertainment production would be lowered from $250,000 to $50,000, and all other recorded musical performances would be lowered from $100,000 to $50,000. Further, any royalties derived from this bill would be considered taxable income.
Rep. Thomas and the Georgia Entertainment Caucus support this legislation to help lower the spending threshold for local music production in an effort to help draw more of these artists to Georgia. Since this bill was introduced, Rep. Thomas and the caucus dedicated their efforts this session to garnering support for this legislation.
HB 1330 has been sent to the State Senate for its consideration.
For more information on HB 1330, please click here.
Representative Erica Thomas represents the citizens of District 39, which includes portions of Cobb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 and currently serves as House Minority Caucus Vice Chairman. She also serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Juvenile Justice, Retirement and Science and Technology committees.
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