France Revamps Tax Rebate to Woo Big-Budget Hollywood Shoots, Expands Eligibility to Actors’ Salaries

Rivaled by London, Prague and Budapest when it comes to luring Hollywood shoots, France is getting ready to sharpen its competitive edge with a game-changing reform to its tax incentive for international productions (Trip).

Following an intensive lobbying push orchestrated by French and American players — including Netflix co-ceo Ted Sarandos and Paramount Skydance CEO and chairman David Ellison — the government and parliament have approved the inclusion of below-the-line costs in the tax rebate for international movies and TV series. Under the reform, expenses such as the salaries of non-European actors and hotel stays will qualify for the 30% rebate (that goes up to 40% for movies with more than €2 million ($2.3 million) spent on French VFX work). The tax credit is capped at €30 million ($35 million) per project.

Pending final clearance from the European Commission, the measure is expected to come into force within weeks.

The fourth season of “The White Lotus,” which begins…