senate Bill S. 364
Should Live Theatre Productions Get The Same Tax Breaks As The Film Industry?
Argument in favor
Live theatre is foundational to U.S. performing arts history. Supporting these productions helps stage actors, theatre workers, artists, and American cultural intelligence.
04/05/2015
Art is art. And if government has an interest in saving some - it should save all. This opens economic opportunities for more cities to participate in theatre.
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03/23/2015
Yes there are many businesses that deserve tax breaks, and there are many who get them that neither need nor deserve them. The arts are essential to maintaining a civil and ethical society. Direct public funding would be the best, but that being unlikely, tax breaks are a start.
Argument opposed
There are many U.S. businesses that deserve tax breaks more than live theatrical venues. The performing arts shouldn’t be a priority
03/18/2015
What? The film industry also gets tax breaks? CUT 'EM ALL OFF.
04/11/2015
Am I hearing this right? The film industry gets big tax breaks? Wtf?!? Have you heard how most of these Hollywood elitists want more money for entitlement programs? Well, start by letting them fund it! Then let's see if their hearts continue to bleed...
Neither should get breaks, but if one does then they both should
What? The film industry also gets tax breaks? CUT 'EM ALL OFF.
Art is art. And if government has an interest in saving some - it should save all. This opens economic opportunities for more cities to participate in theatre.
Yes there are many businesses that deserve tax breaks, and there are many who get them that neither need nor deserve them. The arts are essential to maintaining a civil and ethical society. Direct public funding would be the best, but that being unlikely, tax breaks are a start.
If performing arts are not a priority then why doea hollywood get breaks?
Am I hearing this right? The film industry gets big tax breaks? Wtf?!? Have you heard how most of these Hollywood elitists want more money for entitlement programs? Well, start by letting them fund it! Then let's see if their hearts continue to bleed...
Any one who tracks the American theatre scene knows that it is a highly volatile industry. Your average Broadway production never turns a profit. Furthermore, theater has been an integral part of society dating back to before the ancient Greeks. Unlike the movies, live theater relies heavily on on box office receipts and donations to stay afloat. Movies that fail at the box office often turn a profit through DVD sales, international box offices, and other royalty streams. Live theater may tour, but it simply does not have the ability to turn the profit that movies can. As such, I think tax breaks will help keep American theater alive and well.
Live theater is essential to our culture. It is a business, like any other, and if the film industry receives tax breaks, live theater should as well.
The theatre needs them more than film industry. It's important to keep the arts alive.
I enjoy live theatrical production, but suggesting another "tax loophole" kinda defeats that "equal protection clause" I would rather have a "flat tax" system where everyone is equal. If we must have taxes, isn't equal better. Yes, your correct, some Congressmen will be unhappy. But let's say we wanted to support a special industry, like space mining. Easy, just refund the tax.
Businesses providing similar services should have similar tax provisions.
Seems I placed my vote in the wrong box when I meant to say why would either receive a special concession from a ridiculously inequitable tapestry of favoritism.
Tax breaks for film help keep the film industry and the multitude of jobs that go with it, here in the US. In Florida we did away with the tax breaks and all film companies pulled out of the states. This took away a lot of potential revenue for the state. By allowing love theatre to have these tax breaks as well, we can not only keep the cultural significance of American Musical Theatre alive and prosperous, but we can also help to grow those industries providing for more work for the coming generations. Live theatre will be something very difficult to automate.