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Shiv Rajagopal is a filmmaker based out of Hong Kong & Los Angeles. With a background as a producer of indie films, music videos, and commercials, he writes about the entertainment industry at large. He is also the Co-Founder of Forgotten Films, an indie film company with a slate of films revolving around superheroes from the golden age of comics.
At Wrapbook, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding free resources to producers and their crews, but this post is for informational purposes only as of the date above. The content on our website is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal, accounting, or tax advice. You should consult with your own legal, accounting, or tax advisors to determine how this general information may apply to your specific circumstances.
Film production in New York dates back to the 1890s when Thomas Edison’s Edison Studios produced the country’s first-ever commercially exhibited motion picture. To this day, New York has maintained its competitive edge by offering diverse landscapes and a competitive production incentive program.
In fact, New York expanded its film tax credit program in 2023 and now offers a 30% refundable tax credit on production AND post-production expenses. Producers can access an additional 10% uplift based on shooting location and qualified labor costs.
With a seasoned talent pool and world-class production facilities, New York State remains a premier filmmaking hub for productions of all shapes and sizes.
If you are a filmmaker working out of New York, you will encounter a lot of film production paperwork. To help you get started, we’ve shortlisted several forms you might need for your project.
Producers must establish a production company to engage in any level of professional film production. To legally establish your production company as an LLC, you must fill out the Articles of Organization For Domestic Limited Liability Company form. LLCs are a common choice for filmmakers as they protect your personal assets from any business liabilities.
Producers must file a Certificate of Limited Partnership for Domestic Limited Partnership to legally form a limited partnership in New York. Under this structure, general partners can run a production company's day-to-day operations, while limited partners invest but are not involved in management. This setup is ideal in the film business, as it allows producers to secure financing for a slate while retaining creative and operational control.
Part of what makes film production in New York so attractive is the lucrative film tax incentive program. To secure these incentives, producers must acknowledge the state’s contribution during the film’s end credits sequence. The End Credit Requirements form specifies the exact logo and language required. Submitting this form along with proof of the acknowledgment is essential to maintaining eligibility for the tax credit.
Through its tax incentive program, New York is also committed to promoting diversity in film production. As part of the state’s requirements, producers need to submit demographic data about the production workforce. This includes information such as gender, race, and ethnicity of the cast and crew.
Producers can use the NYS Film Production Tax Credit Program Diversity Impact Data Tracking Sheet to collect and track this data.
Please note: You are not required to submit this form; it is simply a tool for collecting diversity data, which you will need to present as part of your application.
As your production company grows, you might find yourself managing multiple productions. If so, establishing your production company as a corporation can offer certain advantages. Filing the Certificate of Incorporation allows you to legally create a corporate entity in New York State. This unlocks the financial flexibility to support bigger, more ambitious projects.
Any production planning to film in a New York City park must secure a film permit to ensure a compliant and stress-free shoot. To do so, filmmakers must fill out and submit the New York City Parks Film Shoot Request Form. Then, filmmakers can coordinate with the Department of Parks and Recreation to secure a shooting permit.
While New York City often steals the spotlight, other regions in the state also offer competitive incentive programs. For example, Onondaga County’s PRIMED program offers a 25%–30% rebate (up to $300,000) on qualified local expenditures.
However, hiring county residents as part of the cast and crew is considered a qualified expenditure under the program’s guidelines. To qualify for the incentive, the production needs to submit a signed copy of the Onondaga County Residency Form for each local hire.
Filmmakers applying to the Onondaga County production incentive can also apply for the D.E.A.R. incentive enhancement. Qualifying for this program can guarantee an additional 1-5% increase in the incentive rate. D.E.A.R. Incentive Form is a scoring template that determines the incentive percentage based on the diversity of the cast and crew.
These are just some of the forms you may need to submit if you are producing content in New York State. Given the number of regulations, programs, and opportunities, it can be easy to get lost in a sea of government paperwork.
Alternatively, you can use Wrapbook’s Government Forms Database to source and submit paperwork quickly. The database also features government forms for production in California and Louisiana. Want to learn more about the incentives New York and other states offer? Check out our Production Incentive Center to explore and compare film tax incentive programs across the United States.
New York isn’t just an iconic filming location; it is an economic engine driving the entertainment industry. From tentpole studio blockbusters to thriving independent films, the state supports productions of all types. New York state’s top-tier talent and generous production incentives have helped filmmakers save millions while turning out critical and commercial hits.
For producers, accessing these incentives and resources begins with understanding the paperwork you must submit. In this article, we’re going to break down some of the essential forms every filmmaker needs to know to take full advantage of New York’s robust production infrastructure.
Before we dive in, be sure to check out Wrapbook’s Government Forms Database.
Instead of wasting time searching for forms across multiple government websites, use our all-in-one database to quickly find local, state, and federal forms for your film production needs.
