For the first time, animated shows have been included in the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program. Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that among the 16 television projects approved for this year’s first round are the Rick and Morty spinoff President Curtis and the Family Guy spinoff STEWIE. In the 2025-2026 fiscal year, President Curtis and STEWIE are estimated to account for more than $26,000,000 in qualified in-state funding and more than 450 jobs.
This historic addition of animation to the state’s tax incentive program could not have been achieved without the unflagging work of TAG’s Animation Incentive Task Force. Approved by the previous TAG Executive Board in early 2025, the task force was formed to focus on lobbying and advocating for animation to be included in the California Film and Television Jobs Program.
Led by the Entertainment Union Coalition, which included IATSE locals, members of TAG’s task force traveled regularly up to Sacramento for various hearings and lobby days, meeting with lawmakers and their staff to talk with them about the effect of outsourcing on the industry in California. Members also met with lawmakers to discuss ways local cities can additionally incentivize studios, including L.A. City Council Member Adrin Nazarian’s recent Keep Hollywood Local campaign.
Task force members were selected from a diverse range of TAG crafts and classifications. Many thanks to Jessica Adams, Marissa Bernstel, Janna Bock, Lacey Chappel, Owen Dennis, David DePasquale, Susan Godfrey, Kim Hazel, Tara Johnson, Crystal Kan, Steve Kaplan, Arielle Kim, Jeanette Moreno King, Jason Mayer, Kiernan Sjursen-Lien, Jessie Slipchinsky, and Bill Wolkoff, as well as task force staff support, TAG Field Rep and Political Coordinator Leslie Simmons.
A new application window is open for the tax credit program, and we hope to see more animation productions receiving credits in the next round.
Because IATSE and other entertainment unions are also advocating for a federal tax incentive, TAG’s Animation Incentive Task Force remains open. TAG is currently recruiting New York-area members to join the task force to look at potential changes to the film and TV tax program there, as well as helping advocate for a federal incentive when the time comes.
Members can apply to join TAG’s Animation Incentive Task Force here.