For feature films, documentaries, and music videos, a 20% rebate is available if the project meets a minimum in-state spend of at least $100,000 and 50% of the budget is available in verified funds at the time of application. A 25% rebate is available if the project shoots a minimum of 60% of days outside the metro area and meets the minimum in-state spend of $100,000. 50% of the budget must still be available in verified funds at the time of application.

For national television programs or series (new or relocated series only), a development or syndication contract from the commissioning network or streaming service is required. Series can earn a 20% rebate with a minimum in-state spend of at least $100,000. They can earn a 25% rebate with a minimum in-state spend of at least $100,000 and by shooting a minimum of 60% of days outside the metro area.

Television pilots—which must be intended for national exhibition and reasonable commercial exploitation—can earn a 20% rebate with a minimum in-state spend of at least $100,000 and 50% of the budget available in verified funds at the time of application if not commissioned. Pilots can earn a 25% rebate with a minimum in-state spend of at least $100,000 and by shooting a minimum of 60% of days outside the Twin Cities metro area. 50% of the budget must be available in verified funds at the time of application if not commissioned.

TV commercials and post-production can earn up to 25% with a minimum in-state spend of $100,000 not including the production fee. The exact percentage is based on availability of funds, as up to $500,000 per fiscal year is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Non-Metro Shooting Bonus: a 5% bump (from 20% to 25%) for projects that shoot a minimum of 60% of days outside the metro area with qualified in-state spend between $100,000 and $1,000,000.

Submit completed Snowbate application no earlier than 90 days prior to the start of Minnesota principal photography or post-production (for standalone post-production  projects). Submission of an application does not guarantee reimbursement. 

All certified projects must schedule a Snowbate processing procedures meeting with the Incentives Specialist prior to beginning production. A bank letter stating 50% of budget is available in verified funds is required.

The Snowbate incentive is first-come, first-served.

Projects that begin principal photography in Minnesota prior to submitting an application are ineligible.

There is a biannual funding cap of $1,000,000.

The rebate has a compensation cap: for non-resident above-the-line principal acting talent/director/producer salaries and fringes, reimbursement is limited to a $100,000 cap per worker.

Expenses incurred prior to project certification are ineligible for the rebate.

Sales and Use Tax exemptions apply to commercials only.

All production spend must occur within 12 months of certification date.

“Metro Area” is defined as the area over which the Metropolitan Council has jurisdiction, including only the counties of: Anoka; Carver; Dakota excluding the city of Northfield; Hennepin excluding the cities of Hanover and Rockford; Ramsey; Scott excluding the city of New Prague; and Washington.