MS-SOC: MEDIA Credit Submission of Costs (Form MS-SOC) (2024)

Who files this form

Production companies applying for the Montana MEDIA credit must include the Submission of Costs form as part of a complete application. The supplied text identifies it as Form MC-SOC.

The form covers production expenditures and compensation claimed for the credit. The person signing must be an employee of the production company or someone assigned to perform services for it.

What you'll need

Submit the completed form with these checklist items:

• Submission of Costs MEDIA Credit Spreadsheet, completed in full.
• Form MEDIA-Comps for every employee. The included instructions require a completed compensation form for each person claimed for the credit.
• Earnings reports, payroll reports, check stubs, and backup documentation.
• Itemized expenditure and compensation reports in .xlsx format.
• Loan-out agreements and loan-out withholding documentation, if applicable.
• “Filmed in Montana” screen credit logo verification, if applicable.
• Talent agreements and call sheets.
• Department of Commerce Certification Approval Letter.
• The application fee, submitted with the MEDIA Credit payment voucher available at MTRevenue.gov.

Group expenditure documentation by the categories in the MEDIA Credit Spreadsheet. Itemize each expense with its amount, purchase date, item description, purchase address, whether it was purchased in an underserved area, and any other information needed to support the purchase.

Itemize compensation by person, including the amounts claimed. Specify Montana sourcing and, if applicable, Montana withholding. The expenditure and compensation reports must reconcile with the MEDIA Credit Spreadsheet.

Common mistakes

• Leaving out required items or checklist marks. Submit every required item and check its corresponding box. An incomplete or missing item makes the submission incomplete and requires a new submission.
• Missing or incomplete compensation forms. If a form is missing for a person claimed, or is incomplete, the credit will be adjusted.
• Using the wrong report format or mismatched totals. Expenditure and compensation reports must be in .xlsx format and reconcile with the MEDIA Credit Spreadsheet.
• Including non-taxable items as compensation. Non-taxable per diem, kit rentals, and mileage must be reclassified and claimed as expenditures.
• Sending the application fee without its voucher. The fee must be submitted with the MEDIA Credit payment voucher.

Questions people ask

How much is the application fee?

The fee is $500 if base investment is less than $350,000, or $1,000 if base investment is $350,000 or more. The listed fee for a postproduction credit application is $1,000. Mark the applicable fee on the form and submit payment with the MEDIA Credit payment voucher from MTRevenue.gov.

Where do I get the Submission of Costs MEDIA Credit Spreadsheet?

The Department of Revenue or Department of Commerce provides it to the production company. Complete the entire spreadsheet using the directions on its “Instructions” tab.

How do I document loan-out withholding?

Loan-out withholding is submitted through Montana’s TransAction Portal (TAP). After payment, you can download a payment history and provide it with the form. Alternatively, submit a copy of the MEDIA credit loan-out reconciliation return available on TAP, including the allocation of withholding payments by loan-out company. You may need to obtain these records from your payroll company.

How do I verify the “Filmed in Montana” screen credit logo?

Provide a video of the end credits showing the logo’s placement and duration, or a PDF or Doc file of the end credit preparation in postproduction. The department may request the full end credits later, even if you initially provide a mockup.

Who can I contact with questions?

Call (406) 444-6900, or Montana Relay at 711 for the hearing impaired.

Official sources

• https://revenuefiles.mt.gov/files/Forms/MEDIA_Credit_Submission_of_Costs_Form_MS-SOC.pdf