MEDIA-Comp: MEDIA Compensation Claim (Form MEDIA-Comp) (2024)
Montana · Montana DOR · Used for tax years 2024
Montana Form MEDIA-Comp documents employee compensation to be included in the Montana media production credit bases. It identifies the production company, employee and any loan-out company, records employee status, and confirms the production company's intent to apply withholding
Who files this form
Form MEDIA-Comp must be completed when a production company intends to include compensation in its Montana media production credit bases. The compensation must relate to a production certified by the Montana Department of Commerce.
- The production company, an affiliate, or its agent must give the form to employees of the production company or loan-out companies providing personal services in the certified production.
- Employees must complete their part and return the form to their employer or the employer’s agent.
- A form is required each year an employee performs services in a Montana-certified production. If the employee works on several certified productions, a separate form is required for each production.
What you'll need
Have the following information ready to complete the form:
- The calendar year when compensation was paid, the production name, and the production certification number provided by the Montana Department of Commerce.
- The production company’s name, FEIN, and mailing address, plus the agent or payroll service provider’s name and FEIN, if applicable.
- The employee’s name, SSN, mailing address, and applicable actor/director/producer/writer, Montana residency, and student information.
- For a loan-out company, its name, FEIN, mailing address, and confirmation that the person in Part II is its employee.
The production company must keep the completed form in its records. Copies must go to the certified public accountant signing the production expenditure verification report and be included with the substantiation documents for the Montana media production credit application.
How to file
- Enter the compensation year, production certification number, and production name.
- Complete Part I for the production company and have its representative sign and date the form. The representative may be an agent or payroll service provider.
- Have the employee complete Part II, mark the applicable boxes, and sign and date the form.
- For a loan-out company, complete Part III and have its representative sign the declaration that the employee was assigned to perform services for the production company.
- The employee returns the completed form to the employer or the employer’s agent.
The production company must retain the form, provide a copy to the CPA signing the production expenditure verification report, and include another copy with its media production credit application’s substantiation documents. A copy of the signed form must also be provided to the loan-out company or its agent to confirm the intent to apply withholding.
The text does not provide a mailing address or e-file method for this form.
Common mistakes
- Leaving out the production certification number. Without it, the production company may not use the form to verify the media production credit.
- Missing the employee’s signature. The form is not valid without it.
- Claiming compensation costs without Form MEDIA-Comp. Credit claimed for compensation costs incurred in Montana that are not substantiated with this form will be denied.
- Using one form for multiple productions or years. A form is required for each certified production and each year the employee performs services.
- Checking residency without considering the first day of work. The instructions say to mark the residency box if the employee is a Montana resident on the first day of work on the certified production.
Questions people ask
What is a state-certified production?
It is a media production certified by the Montana Department of Commerce as eligible to claim a media production credit. Contact that department for certification information.
What year should I enter?
Enter the calendar year when compensation was paid in relation to the state-certified production in Montana.
What withholding rate applies to loan-out company compensation?
The form states a 5.9% withholding rate on the qualified compensation portion of payments to loan-out companies included in the media production credit bases.
When should I check the student box?
Check it if you are enrolled in a Montana college or university and your work on the production will result in college credits.
Where can I get help with the form?
Call (406) 444-6900, or use Montana Relay at 711 for the hearing impaired.