Jon Voight seeks tax relief for Hollywood

Proposal aims to stem production flight overseas amid growing competition from Britain and Canada

LOS ANGELES:

Actor Jon Voight held talks with US President Donald Trump earlier this year to advocate federal tax incentives aimed at reviving film and television production in the United States, representatives for the veteran actor have confirmed.

The previously undisclosed White House meeting took place on February 11 and formed part of a broader lobbying push by Hollywood figures seeking federal support to counter the growing migration of productions overseas, where lower labour costs and generous tax credits have increasingly attracted studios and streaming companies.

A White House spokesperson said Trump remained committed to strengthening the American entertainment industry and was exploring policy options to ensure Hollywood retained its cultural and economic influence.

Trump appointed Voight, best known for his Oscar-winning career and his breakthrough role in the 1969 film 'Midnight Cowboy', as one of three special ambassadors to Hollywood in January 2025. Fellow actors Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson were also named to the advisory roles.

Voight has since joined a coalition involving the Motion Picture Association, the Directors Guild of America and several unions representing actors, writers and production workers in an effort to secure federal backing for domestic filmmaking.

According to the proposal put forward by SP Media Group chief executive Steven Paul and company president Scott Karol, productions filmed in the United States would qualify for a 20% federal tax credit on labour costs. An additional 5% incentive could be granted to independent productions or projects filmed in disaster-hit regions and designated enterprise zones.

Supporters say the incentives are intended to make domestic production financially competitive with countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada, both of which continue to attract major film and television projects through favourable tax policies and established production infrastructure.

Industry data reflects the mounting challenge facing Hollywood. Research firm ProdPro reported that film and television production in the United States fell 10% in the first quarter compared with the same period last year. The United States accounted for roughly 38% of global production activity, while Britain and Canada together represented nearly one-third of the market.

Trump previously floated the idea of imposing a 100% tariff on films made abroad in September 2025 as part of efforts to encourage productions to return to American soil. While industry groups welcomed his focus on the issue, many urged the administration to prioritise tax incentives rather than trade barriers.

At the state level, California expanded its annual film and television tax incentive programme to $750 million in June last year. Early indicators suggest the move has had some effect, with FilmLA reporting an almost 11% rise in shoot days across Los Angeles during the first quarter of this year.