PHX Reporter

An effort to bring the movie industry back to Arizona through a tax-credit program could provide an additional $7 billion to the state's education and infrastructure.

The Arizona Entertainment Industry Act proposed an income tax credit program directed toward film production companies. A company that invests $500,000 for the cause would be eligible for a tax credit that would be equal to 25 percent of the base investment.

Additionally, according to the information on file at the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, the investment would provide for an additional 10 percent tax credit if the Arizona Commerce Authority determines the film promotes the State of Arizona.

For this tax credit to appear on a November 2020 ballot, a total of 237,645 signatures are needed. The signatures should be sent to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office by July 2.

Tempe resident Irina Baroness Von Behr said the proposal started when she was running for Arizona Congress for the District 19 seat. She said as she was running for office, she knocked on many doors and asked citizens what they thought of the idea.

Von Behr said many prominent figures in the film industry contacted her as well to help bring the film tax credits back to Arizona.  

Amid Von Behr's research on the issue, she started feeling strongly about the tax-credit program in Arizona. If the film industry comes back to Arizona, it would provide hundreds of jobs for the state.