If you’re looking to make a video game and would love to get some tax credits in the process, Oregon might be the place to be.
The Oregon Governor’s Board of Film and Television is now permitted by law to offer tax credits to not only filmmakers, but also “media production services.” Changes to the Indigenous Oregon Production Investment Fund program mean that those working in post-production or video game development can now apply to receive up to 20 percent back on goods and services and 10 percent on labor.
You can apply for tax credits so long as your project budget is anywhere between $75,000 and $1,000,000, with the rebate only covering the first $1 million. Also, the work must be completed in Oregon and 80 percent of your workforce must be Oregon residents.
Every state in the U.S. offers similar tax incentives for film and television production, but less than half have their own video game tax incentive programs. There are also national Research & Development credits you can apply for, although many smaller-sized video game companies do not even apply.
Maybe this will help Portland and the rest of Oregon get on the level of Seattle, a city most recently referred to as an epicenter of the gaming industry.
