Pennsylvania: tax incentives, credits and advisors
Pennsylvania's state incentives include a 25% to 30% film production credit that can be sold, a historic preservation credit up to 25% (30% for workforce housing), a sellable R&D credit and the Keystone Innovation Zone credit.
Facts checked 2026-10-26 against the official sources linked below.
Below are the major Pennsylvania incentives we could verify against an official source, grouped by type. This is not an exhaustive list of every state program. Credits flagged Transferable can be sold or assigned to another taxpayer under state rules; see transferable state tax credits. Each row shows the date we last checked it.
Pennsylvania film and media incentives
| Incentive | Type | Who qualifies | Amount, rate or cap | Transferable | Refundable | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film production tax credit | Credit | Films with at least 60% of total production expenses in Pennsylvania | 25% of qualified PA production expenses; 30% with qualified production facility stage filming; 30% for post-production at a qualified facility | Transferable: Yes; may be sold, assigned or transferred | Not stated | Active | PA DCED, Film Tax Credit Program Last verified 2026-10-26 |
Pennsylvania historic and building rehabilitation incentives
| Incentive | Type | Who qualifies | Amount, rate or cap | Transferable | Refundable | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historic preservation tax credit | Credit | Owners restoring qualified historic structures into income-producing property with a PHMC-approved plan | Up to 25% of qualified expenditures (30% for workforce housing); up to $500,000 per taxpayer a year | Transferable: Yes; DCED runs a historic preservation tax credit assignment application | Not stated | Active | PA DCED, Historic Preservation Tax Credit Last verified 2026-10-26 |
Pennsylvania research and development incentives
| Incentive | Type | Who qualifies | Amount, rate or cap | Transferable | Refundable | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research and development tax credit | Credit | Taxpayers with Pennsylvania qualified research expenses | See DCED; buyers can offset up to 75% of a qualified liability | Transferable: Yes; unused credits can be sold with DCED approval (since Act 46 of 2003) | No | Active | PA DOR, 2025 R&D Tax Credit Report Last verified 2026-10-26 |
| Keystone Innovation Zone tax credit | Credit | Young companies in designated Keystone Innovation Zones | Up to $15 million a year program-wide; 4-year carryforward | Transferable: Yes; may be sold or assigned once with DCED approval after applying to own liability | No | Active | PA DCED, KIZ Tax Credit Program Guidelines Last verified 2026-10-26 |
Advisors located in Pennsylvania
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Common questions
Can Pennsylvania film tax credits be sold?
Yes. DCED says film production tax credits may be sold, assigned or transferred.
What is the Pennsylvania historic preservation credit?
Up to 25% of qualified expenditures, or 30% for workforce housing, capped at $500,000 per taxpayer per fiscal year.
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