Wisconsin Announces Tax Breaks for Game Industry?

Did I miss something?

Following the state of Georgia’s own 20-30% tax breaks for the games industry, Wisconsin has announced that it is instituting its own incentives, with 25 percent tax credits for film, TV, and qualifying game studios.

State officials say that the incentive includes a 25 percent rebate on qualified production related expenditures, as well as a 15 percent credit for infrastructure development.

Besides the obvious point that reducing taxes attracts businesses and jobs… who decided this?  The legislature hasn’t been in session for weeks and won’t be in session until next year.  They didn’t change anything.  Is this a unilateral decision by the governor? 

It’s also possible that this site is wrong.  They don’t provide a source for the information.  Given that it’s unconstitutional for the Executive to unilaterally change the tax code, I suspect that this is the case.  But given this governor…

1. This sounds like the tax breaks that went into effect this year, not new ones.

   Posted by on June 18, 2008 at 1957 hrs




2. But is says “has announced that it is instituting.” That makes it sound like a new thing to me.  I’ll dig through the statutes and see if it’s in there somewhere.

   Posted by Owen on June 18, 2008 at 2003 hrs




3. This is not new. I think it was part of the bill that passed in the 2005-2006 session for the film industry credits.  The gaming industry also qualifies for the tax credits.  Perhaps they are just figuring it out.

   Posted by on June 19, 2008 at 1241 hrs




4. Nice job again, Owen.  Instead of doing any research, you assume the Governor has done something untoward again and pound the keyboard.  Your lame act is getting old!

   Posted by on June 20, 2008 at 0624 hrs