Massachusetts bid for ‘35% game tax breaks’

A bill proposing globally competitive game tax breaks in Massachusetts has been filed in the state’s legislature, according to a regional newspaper.

The paper calls for either a 25 per cent tax credit on all games design costs, or 35 per cent on labour expenses. It has not yet been considered by state officials.

Massachusetts inhabits studios such as MMO giant Turbine and music studios Seven45 and Harmonix.

An Associated Press report claimed the proposals would, if enacted, bring the total number of US states offering game tax beaks to 18 – with the likes of Texas and Georgia offering the state aid.

In a high-profile switch, 38 Studios last year moved out of the state to Rhode Island, in return for a huge loan sum at its new home.

Massachusetts, still with a strong games industry, appears determined to not lose any more.

State Representative Vincent Pedone recently said the plan was to expand the state’s $2 billion game industry to $20 billion in five years.

Pedone didn’t estimate how much the proposals would cost.