CT-261: Claim for Empire State Film Post-Production Credit (2025)
New York · NY DTF · Used for tax years 2025
Form CT-261 is used by corporations to claim New York’s Empire State Film Post-Production Credit. It reports the available credit, including amounts allocated from partnerships, and calculates amounts used, refunded, or carried forward; New York S corporations do not complete the
Who files this form
Form CT-261 is for corporations claiming the Empire State Film Post-Production Credit. File it with Form CT-3, CT-3-A, or CT-3-S.
If you are claiming the credit as a corporate partner, mark an X in box A. New York S corporations do not complete Part 2.
What you'll need
Have these documents and details ready:
- Your corporation’s legal name, employer identification number (EIN), and tax period beginning and ending dates.
- Each certificate of tax credit issued by the New York State Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development. Submit a copy with your return.
- The certificate number and completion year for each certificate.
- If claiming credit from partnerships, each partnership’s name, EIN, and credit amount allocated to you.
- Any credit amounts from prior years, unused credit carried over from the previous tax year, and credit recapture amounts.
- For Part 2, your tax due before credits, credits claimed before this credit, and fixed dollar minimum tax.
How to file
File Form CT-261 with Form CT-3, CT-3-A, or CT-3-S.
Complete the certificate information section and submit a separate Form CT-261 for each certificate issued by the New York State Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development. Include a copy of the certificate of tax credit with your return.
The supplied form does not give a mailing address or e-filing directions.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the tax period blank. All filers must enter the beginning and ending dates.
- Combining certificates on one form. You must complete the certificate information section and submit a separate Form CT-261 for each certificate.
- Omitting the certificate copy. Submit a copy of the certificate of tax credit with your return.
- Completing Part 2 as a New York S corporation. The form specifically says New York S corporations do not complete this part.
- Missing the corporate partner checkbox. Mark an X in box A if you are claiming this credit as a corporate partner.
Questions people ask
Which line applies to my application date?
On the 2025 form, line 1a is for credit amounts from applications filed before January 1, 2025. Line 1b records the amount of line 1a available for the current tax year. Line 1c is for credit amounts from applications filed on or after January 1, 2025.
What if I have more than one certificate?
Submit a separate Form CT-261 for each certificate. On line 1d, enter the line 1b and line 1c totals from all additional Forms CT-261.
Where do I report credit allocated by a partnership?
Complete Part 3 with the partnership’s name, EIN, and allocated credit amount. Enter the total current-year partnership credit on line 18 and carry it to line 2. Corporate partners must also mark box A.
Can credit be refunded or applied to next year’s tax?
Part 2 calculates the amounts used, carried forward, and available for refund. Line 16 records the amount to be refunded, limited to line 15. Line 17 records the remaining amount to apply as an overpayment to next year’s tax. Enter the line 16 and line 17 amounts on your franchise tax return as well. New York S corporations do not complete Part 2.