Incentives

How to Apply for the Texas Film Incentive (TMIIIP): A Step-by-Step Guide

Lyle | texas.film | March 21, 2026 · March 21, 2026

The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) is one of the best-structured film incentive programs in the country. It's a cash grant — not a tax credit — which means you don't need to file a Texas state tax return to receive it. The money comes directly to your production company as a percentage of your qualifying Texas expenditures.

The program was significantly expanded in 2025, with $300 million allocated per two-year cycle and an effective maximum grant rate of up to 31%. Projects with start dates on or after September 1, 2025 qualify under the new funding pool.

Here's how to actually apply.

Step 0: Confirm You Qualify

Before you touch the application, check the basics. For film and television:

Minimum Texas spend: $250,000 (film/TV); $100,000 (commercials, educational video, video games)

The Four Requirements (all four must be met): 1. At least 60% of production must be completed in Texas 2. At least 35% of paid crew must be Texas residents 3. At least 35% of paid cast (including extras) must be Texas residents 4. Texas residency = permanently domiciled in Texas for 120+ days prior to the first day of principal photography, evidenced by a Texas driver's license/ID, voter registration, or Texas student ID

Miss any one of these and you're ineligible. No exceptions.

Ineligible content:

If your project is a documentary, commercial, reality show, or video game, eligibility rules vary slightly by category — check the TFC website for your specific category.

Step 1: Submit an Incentive Inquiry Form

Before you can apply, you have to request an application.

Go to: gov.texas.gov/apps/film/filmIncentivesInquiry.aspx

Fill out the Incentive Inquiry Form. The Texas Film Commission (TFC) will respond with a link to the actual application. This is not a formality you can skip — they will not accept submissions through any other channel.

Contact: filmincentive@gov.texas.gov | 512-463-9200

Step 2: Understand the Application Window

The timing rules are strict and unforgiving.

Your completed application package must arrive at the TFC:

Late applications are not accepted. Period. You cannot apply after principal photography has begun.

Plan backward from your shoot start date. If you're starting principal photography on June 1, your application must arrive between December 3 (180 days prior) and May 24 (5 business days prior, by 5 PM CT).

Step 3: Assemble Your Application Package

The full application includes:

1. Online Qualifying Application Completed through the link provided by TFC after your inquiry form.

2. Itemized Budget (Texas expenditures only) Line-by-line breakdown of all expenses you're claiming as Texas-qualifying spend. This needs to be clean and accurate — TFC will audit it.

Key budget items that count toward qualifying Texas expenditures:

3. Content Document The content requirement varies by format:

No script, no application. If you're in development and your script isn't locked, don't start the clock.

4. File Delivery Documentation must be submitted through the Office of the Governor's secure file transfer site. You must call the TFC and request an invitation to access the site. They will not accept submissions via Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, or any other file sharing service.

Step 4: Lock Your Start Date — Then Notify TFC

Once you have your application in and principal photography begins, you have 5 business days to notify TFC by email:

filmincentive@gov.texas.gov

Subject line: "[Project Name] — Principal Photography Start Notification"

Include your first day of principal photography.

If your start date shifts: If your shoot is delayed by 30 days or more from the date in your application, you must notify TFC. They may discard your application and require you to reapply. Don't ghost them.

Step 5: Know Your Grant Rate

Once your project completes and TFC reviews your Texas expenditures, your grant is calculated based on your qualifying spend:

Film, Television & VFX

| Texas Spend | Base Grant Rate | |-------------|----------------| | $250K – $999K | 5% | | $1M – $1.499M | 10% | | $1.5M+ | 25% |

Reality Television

| Texas Spend | Base Grant Rate | |-------------|----------------| | $250K – $999K | 5% | | $1M+ | 10% |

Commercials, Educational & Instructional Video

| Texas Spend | Base Grant Rate | |-------------|----------------| | $100K – $999K | 5% | | $1M+ | 10% |

Video Games

| Texas Spend | Base Grant Rate | |-------------|----------------| | $100K – $999K | 5% | | $1M – $1.499M | 10% | | $1.5M+ | 25% |

Additional Grant Awards (+1% to +2.5%)

On top of your base rate, you may qualify for additional uplifts. See: gov.texas.gov/film/page/additional_grant_award

Effective maximum: ~31% total (base + uplifts) Per-project cap: None

Step 6: Complete Production, Submit Documentation

After production wraps, you'll submit your final Texas expenditure documentation to TFC for review. This is the audit phase — make sure your production accounting kept clean, segregated records of Texas vs. non-Texas spend throughout production.

TFC reviews, verifies, and then issues the grant payment. Turnaround times vary; budget for this as part of your post-production cash flow planning.

Common Mistakes That Kill Applications

1. Missing the application window. The most common mistake. Productions assume they can apply whenever and discover the 5-business-days-before deadline after it's passed.

2. Not meeting the 35% Texas resident requirements. If you bring your whole LA crew, you won't qualify. You need to hire Texas. Keep documentation of every crew and cast member's Texas residency from day one.

3. Applying for crew who don't meet the 120-day residency rule. "I live in Texas" is not the same as "I have been permanently domiciled in Texas for 120+ days before the first day of photography." Check IDs early.

4. Incomplete budget documentation. Texas-specific spend needs to be itemized and documented. "Miscellaneous Texas expenses" is not a line item TFC will accept.

5. Not notifying TFC of production start. Required within 5 business days. It's simple — set a calendar reminder for day 1 of photography.

The Sales Tax Exemption (Bonus)

Separate from TMIIIP, qualifying productions can receive sales tax exemptions on production-related purchases and rentals in Texas. This is administered separately.

Details: gov.texas.gov/film/page/sales_tax_exemptions

Media Production Development Zones (MPDZ)

If you're shooting at an MPDZ-designated facility (currently: SGS Studios in Fort Worth's AllianceTexas development), you may qualify for additional benefits under the MPDZ program, including a sales and use tax exemption for the facility's construction/renovation costs that can translate into lower production costs for your project.

More cities are expected to pursue MPDZ designation. Watch this space.

Get Help

The TFC offers free pre-application consultations. Use them.

For a production incentives consultant who specializes in Texas, consider working with a production accountant or incentives advisor familiar with TMIIIP. The Wrapbook production incentives team also has Texas-specific expertise.

Sources: Texas Film Commission (gov.texas.gov/film), Wrapbook, TaxTaker, Austin Film Commission

Note: Incentive program details are subject to change. Always verify current rates and requirements directly with the Texas Film Commission before applying.

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