Trump proposes federal tax credits for film and TV production

On August 31, 2026, President Donald Trump proposed a federal tax credit to support the U.S. film and television industry, aiming to curb the offshoring of Hollywood productions. Trump urged bipartisan congressional action to pass the incentives, which are backed by an industry coalition including the Motion Picture Association and actor Jon Voight. Supporters argue the credits will boost a struggling domestic sector, while advocates have lobbied the White House since 2025.

Federal film tax credit

• ▪SP Media Group CEO Steven Paul and SP Media President Scott Karol proposed a 20% federal tax credit for labor costs on film or television productions in the United States
• ▪On August 31, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump called on Congress to immediately approve a federal production incentive to create entertainment jobs in the United States

Television production incentive proposal

• ▪U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on August 31, 2026, urging Republicans and Democrats to immediately craft legislation to save the American entertainment business
• ▪Entertainment industry veterans stated that a federal film and television tax incentive could boost a struggling industry that has lost significant business to foreign countries

Entertainment production offshoring

• ▪Actor Jon Voight is working with a coalition including the Motion Picture Association and the Directors Guild of America to fight the exodus of entertainment production from the United States
• ▪U.S. film and television studios have lost significant amounts of production business to foreign countries, prompting industry calls for federal tax credits

Jon Voight Hollywood ambassador

• ▪Actor Jon Voight met with U.S. President Donald Trump in February 2026 and August 2026 to advocate for a federal tax credit to boost the film and television industry
• ▪U.S. President Donald Trump named actor Jon Voight as one of three special ambassadors to Hollywood, alongside Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson, in January 2025

Industry coalition lobbying

• ▪Motion Picture Association Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin applauded U.S. President Donald Trump's support for a national entertainment production incentive
• ▪Entertainment industry advocates and lobbyists have actively lobbied the White House since 2025 to endorse a federal tax incentive for film and television production

Bipartisan congressional support

• ▪U.S. President Donald Trump proposed that Republicans and Democrats in Congress work together to enact federal tax incentives for the entertainment industry
• ▪Members of Congress from major production hubs, including California, have lobbied the White House since 2025 to endorse a federal film and television tax incentive

3 sources