Tax Credits

Massachusetts’ many tax credits and attempts at bringing them to light.

Stop Bay State subsidies for Hollywood moguls

By Ben Forman Employment, Growth and Development, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Feb 19, 2010

It’s time to pull our heads out of the popcorn buckets. With 310,000 jobless residents, Massachusetts can’t afford to waste any more public resources on subsidies for Hollywood moguls. The state covers a quarter of the expenses for movies made in Massachusetts through a film tax credit. Last year the credit cost taxpayers $125 million.(...)

Patrick seeks cap on film tax credit

By Bruce Mohl Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Jan 27, 2010

JANUARY 28 UPDATE: A top House leader says the $50 million cap on film tax credits proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick would be a disaster for the movie business in Massachusetts. “I think it kills it,” said assistant House Majority Leader Ron Mariano. Mariano says the cap would make it nearly impossible for entrepreneurs to(...)

Summer 2009

Disclosure is the best policy

By Bruce Mohl Ethics and Open Government 0 Comments Jul 22, 2009

It was grafifying to see the Legislature pass tax credit transparency legislation as part of the state budget, but it was disappointing that lawmakers opted for the “lite” version. The legislation, originally filed by Gov. Deval Patrick and a direct outgrowth of reporting by CommonWealth last spring, summer, and fall, should start to shed some(...)

Spring 2009

Making an impact

By Bruce Mohl Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

every time our magazine comes out, I wonder what kind of impact it will have. I know I’m interested in the issues we’re covering, but will others find them compelling? We received a positive answer to that question recently with the release of Gov. Deval Patrick’s fiscal 2010 budget proposal. It contains two provisions that(...)

Spring 2009

On the set

By Alison Lobron State Government, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Apr 15, 2009

you may not know Lynda Obst’s face or name, but if you pay taxes in Massachusetts you are an investor in the producer’s latest movie, with the working title This Side of the Truth. Obst decided to film the comedy starring Jennifer Garner and Ricky Gervais in Lowell last spring largely because of a 2007(...)

Fall 2008

Galvin gets cagier about rehabilitation tax credits

By Bruce Mohl Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Oct 21, 2008

Secretary of State William Galvin’s sphinx-like administration of a $50 million-a-year tax credit program is causing confusion among developers and anger among some lawmakers. Galvin handed out nearly $16.4 million in historic rehabilitation tax credits in early August. The big winners were the Boston Red Sox, which received $1.5 million in tax credits for the(...)

Summer 2008

Preserving power

By Bruce Mohl Ethics and Open Government, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Jul 22, 2008

Secretary of State William Galvin is running a $50 million-a-year state tax credit program like a personal fiefdom. He decides which developers receive historic rehabilitation tax credits from the state and how much they get, using a selection process that creates uncertainty for developers and maximizes his political clout. What’s most startling is that Galvin,(...)

Summer 2008

Hidden tax credit

By Bruce Mohl Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Jul 22, 2008

Tax credits are exploding in popularity in Massachusetts. Over the last several years, state lawmakers have approved tax credits to lure movies and movie stars to the state, to redevelop historic buildings, and most recently to give a boost to life science companies. The tax credits are having an impact. At least 88 movie productions(...)

Spring 2008

Subsidizing the stars

By Bruce Mohl Film tax credit, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Apr 17, 2008

UPDATE: Since the spring issue of CommonWealth went to press, the Massachusetts Revenue Department released a report indicating the financial impact of the state’s film tax credit could be substantial. The report said 88 movie projects were either completed or under development in 2006, 2007, and the first two months of 2008. The projects are(...)