TAG’s Animation Incentive Task Force

 

TAG’s Animation Incentive Task Force was formed in early 2025 to address the need for an animation incentive in the state of California. 

The Task Force is a diverse cross-section of TAG’s California membership, ranging from production workers to storyboard artists to showrunners. The goal of this Task Force is to be a voice of the TAG membership when talking about the needs for state and local incentives in California and beyond.

While the unionized studios outside of California (Powerhouse and Titmouse New York) enjoy the benefits of film and TV tax incentive programs that include animation, California does not. And over the years, we’ve seen the work of our members in Los Angeles get outsourced more and more.

Senate Bill 630 (Allen) and Assembly Bill 1138 (Zbur) looks to change this. 

 

Over the last three months, the Task Force has met regularly to discuss the bills, as well as advocacy and campaign outreach. Members have traveled up to Sacramento to speak at various hearings. They’ve walked the halls in the Capitol office space, lobbying elected officials to support the California bills that will expand the current program and include animation. 

While the Task Force’s current focus is on the California incentive expansion, TAG remains committed to support the programs in Texas and New York for our members working there. (Recently, New York expanded its program.)   

As a local of the IATSE, we are also following the conversation and supporting the international’s work with other entertainment industry unions and groups for a federal incentive and solution to outsourced work. IATSE President Matt Loeb is leading the way on the federal level. 

Additionally, the Task Force is focused on local incentive programs as well, including the cities of Los Angeles and Burbank.

To reach the committee, you may email incentive@tag839.org.

Reclaiming California’s Role in Global Animation

 The Animation Guild (TAG), BRIC Foundation and Titmouse Foundation have partnered with CVL Economics to release Reclaiming California’s Role in Global Animation. The report details the negative impact on California’s once-dominant animation and VFX industries as work has migrated offshore in part due to production incentives that are now offered in 30 U.S. states and nearly every major global hub. 

Key Findings:

  • California is losing ground. Thirty U.S. states and nearly every major global hub now offer tax credits for animation. California does not — despite being the birthplace of the industry.
  • Post-production collapse. Since 1995, California’s post-production workforce has shrunk by nearly 60%.
  • High-value work is fleeing. Animation jobs in California have declined 4.7% since 2019 due to aggressive incentive policies outside the state.
  • Global market, local losses. Animation is a $400 billion industry powering streaming, gaming, VFX, and virtual production. As global demand grows, California’s market share continues to fall. 

Read the complete report here.

 

Artwork by Andrew Chesworth