State-by-state production incentives
South Carolina
| South Carolina | |
| Incentive Type | Rebates for wages and supplies |
| Incentives Highlights | 20% rebate on all cast and resident wages up to $1M, 10% rebate on out of state crew (capped at $35,000 per hire), and 30% rebate on qualified SC goods and services. Loan-outs must pay SC withholding tax of 2% to qualify. There is also a 20% non-transferable investment incentive up to $100,000 per resident investor. |
| Eligible Projects | Films, television pilots, series, commercials |
| Minimum Spend | $1,000,000, |
| Production Cap or Annual Cap | Separate labor and supplier allocations; check with the state for details. |
| Application/Reporting Requirements | Productions must register with the state. Once the application is approved, the state monies are reserved. Overages may not exceed 10% of the approved application amounts. |
| Loan-Out Reg Required? | Yes |
| CPA Audit? | No – the state conducts an on-site audit. |
South Carolina Film Office
Contact: Tom Clark
1205 Pendleton Street, Room 529
Columbia, SC 29201
t: (803) 737-0498
f: (803) 737-3104
www.FilmSC.com
Provided the total production cost expended in South Carolina exceeds $1 million, South Carolina offers an assignable 20% wage rebate for all cast and for local crew and a 10% rebate for out-of-state crew (capped at $3,500 per person); however, this amount may be negotiated up to 20%. Excluded are salaries that exceed $1 million. Wages paid to loan-out and personal service corporations also qualify for the rebate if South Carolina withholding tax (2% for loan-outs) is paid. For qualifying television series, the wages of all non-residents are eligible for the maximum 20% rebate. Additionally, there is a 30% goods and services rebate for purchases from South Carolina suppliers. Everything purchased in the state from a local supplier that is used for the production qualifies. Productions may qualify for an exemption of the 6% sales and use tax.
The production company must complete an Incentive application in advance of the production. An audit is conducted by the state at no cost to the production, and the rebate check is cut within 30 days of the completion of the audit and verification of compliance with the South Carolina Department of Revenue. The wage rebate is assignable to a financial institution.
For South Carolinians that invest in film production: A non-transferable investment tax credit of 20% for residents is available up to a maximum of $100,000 per investor; all credits cannot reduce a taxpayer’s tax liability by more than 50% and may be carried forward 15 succeeding tax years. Interested producers should contact the film commission, as they may be able to make an introduction to a local partner. $15 million is currently available.
Charleston and Rock Hill can supply crew and some department heads, with smaller crew bases available in Columbia and Greenville. A searchable database is on the website.