Appelbaum files film tax credit bill

Bill aims to bring film productions to Missouri, provide local economic boosts

LaDonna Appelbaum (MHDC)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — State Rep. LaDonna Appelbaum, D-St. Louis, filed House Bill 2473 Tuesday, also known as the “Show MO Act,” to provide tax credits on certain expenses related to the production of certain film production projects in Missouri.

The Show MO Act would grant a 20 percent tax credit for all qualifying film productions in Missouri. It would also add separate, additional 5 percent tax credits if more than 50 percent of the production is filmed in Missouri, if at least 15 percent of the production is filmed in a rural or blighted area, if a certain number of Missouri residents are hired onto these productions, or if the production depicts the state or region in a positive light.

Appelbaum said her bill would provide boosts to local Missouri economies by bringing in new customers for local, small businesses and providing new employment opportunities to Missouri residents.

“Our state misses out on dozens of productions to states like Georgia, which offers massive tax credits to companies that produce films, television series, and commercials,” she said. “Even a show like Ozark that takes place in Missouri’s own Lake of the Ozarks is mostly filmed in Atlanta. The ‘Show MO Act’ will help make Missouri competitive with other states in capturing business we would not otherwise receive.”

Appelbaum added this bill would also serve as a substantial investment in Missouri’s own local visual and film arts community, easing the financial burden on small productions.

Appelbaum’s bill joins an effort of similar pieces of legislation from across the political spectrum to encourage businesses in the entertainment industry to film in Missouri. Senate Bills 721, 732 and 960 from state Sens. Angela Mosley, Doug Beck and Denny Hoskins respectively also offer tax incentives to film productions located in the Show-Me State.