Clint Eastwood Taxes: Film Director Benefited From Generous Credits

WASHINGTON -- Film director Clint Eastwood will be cheering on Mitt Romney and his party's "you didn't build that!" message during Thursday night's Republican National Convention festivities.

But there's one small problem: Clint Eastwood didn't build that.

Just like the small business owners who spoke on previous nights at the convention in Tampa, Fla., Eastwood, a hugely successful independent filmmaker, has benefited from generous tax credits to produce his movies all over the world -- the same kinds of film tax credits that Romney signed into law as governor.

Eastwood received a 42 percent tax credit in 2008 after shifting the setting of his movie "Gran Torino" from Minneapolis to Detroit, a city dubbed by The New York Times as "the home of 42 percent tax credits for films made there."

Eastwood also took advantage of a Massachusetts tax credit in 2003 for filming "Mystic River" in that state.

His reliance on government aid has extended beyond U.S. borders. The Hollywood Reporter wrote in 2009 that his movie "Invictus" received a tax incentive package from the South African government that knocked $5 million off the film's budget. Eastwood's 2010 film "Hereafter" qualified for a 20 percent rebate from the French government and a received a 25 percent tax credit from the British government after certain scenes were filmed in each of the countries.

Eastwood's "Flags Of Our Fathers" also benefited from a 20 percent incentive package for filming in Iceland. Along with an explainer on the country's tax credit for filmmakers, Iceland's Film Commission features a quote from Eastwood on its website touting the benefits of filming in the country:

"Flying in over the black sand beaches and lava fields, I could see that Iceland had the rugged and unusual look we needed for our film, 'Flags Of Our Fathers.' I soon learned that Iceland also has friendly, hard-working people with a refreshing can-do spirit. The open roads and undisturbed countryside remind me of the way America was fifty years ago. With such gorgeous scenery, delicious fish and even golf, Iceland made for a terrific filming location," Eastwood said.

Romney is familiar with the kinds of tax breaks being used by film directors like Eastwood. As Massachusetts governor, he signed legislation offering an array of tax breaks aimed at attracting major films to his state. The Patriot Ledger reported in December 2005 that, because of the new package, a single film production could receive up to $7 million in tax credits, making Massachusetts "among the five most generous states in the country" at the time.

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue later reported that $19.1 million in tax credits were generated in fiscal 2006 alone.

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• Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan, left and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney waves to delegates after his speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney acknowledges delegates before speaking at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

• Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan and his wife Janna salute delegates following Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's speech during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. Behind is Mitt Romney and his wife Ann. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Mitt Romney

  Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney waves to delegates before speaking at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

• Mitt Romney

  Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney acknowledges delegates before speaking at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

• Mitt Romney

  Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Mitt Romney

  Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney hugs a supporter as he walks to the stage during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney makes his way through delegates before speaking at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Ann Romney, wife of U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, cheers as Olympians are introduced during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan, right, and his wife Janna applaud during Florida Senator Marco Rubio's speech during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

• Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan, right, along with Ann Romney, wife of U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, left, applaud during Florida Senator Marco Rubio's speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

• Marco Rubio

  Florida Senator Marco Rubio addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

• Florida Senator Marco Rubio addresses delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Marco Rubio

  Florida Senator Marco Rubio addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Clint Eastwood

  Actor Clint Eastwood addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Actor Clint Eastwood speaks to an empty chair while addressed delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

• Tom Stemberg, founder and former CEO of Staples speaks to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Bob White

  Chairman of the Romney-Ryan Campaign Bob White addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Pam Finlayson

  Pam Finlayson addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Frantz Placide and Sean Duffy, center, listen to Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, left, as he speaks during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012.during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

• Jeb Bush

  Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

• Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush steps onstage to speak to delegates at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

• Oscar Poole

  Oscar Poole from Ellijay, Ga., wears his hat at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

• Newt Gingrich, Callista Gingrich

  Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

• Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista walk onto the stage to speak to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista speak to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Herman Cain recites the Pledge of Allegiance during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Connie Mack

  Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fla., addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Senator Scott Brown, R-Mass., answers questions during a press conference in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

• Stagehands make final adjustments to the expanded stage where Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will accept his party's nomination later tonight a the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

• Protesters yell as Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

• A delegate holds up a mask of Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

• Jeb Bush

  FILE In this Aug. 27, 2012 file photo, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush looks at the convention floor from the podium during a microphone check at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

• Stagehands make final adjustments to the expanded stage where Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will accept his party's nomination later tonight a the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Paul Ryan

  Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan waves toward the delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Paul Ryan

  Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Sam Ryan yawns in his mother's arms while Janna listen to her husband Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan's speech during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. Right is Charlie Ryan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Ann Romney, wife of U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, applauds with Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan's wife during Paul Ryan's speech during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan speaks to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Condoleezza Rice

  Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

• Susana Martinez

  New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Condoleezza Rice

  Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Mike Huckabee

  Former governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Mike Huckabee

  Former governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Mike Huckabee

  Former governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan's wife Janna, left, sits next to his mother Betty Ryan Douglas during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

• Tim Pawlenty

  Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Rob Portman

  Ohio Senator Rob Portman addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• Rob Portman

  Ohio Senator Rob Portman addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

• John Thune

  South Dakota Senator John Thune gestures to the delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

• Rob Portman

  Ohio Senator Rob Portman waves to the delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Comments

[DAVEDOLL]

11:20 AM on 10/03/2012

Although I am committed to the President ..
I reserve one vote for the Chair!!!!

[tygh]

12:31 AM on 10/02/2012

Tax breaks to Millionaires = business as usual
Government programs to help everyone else = socialism

Despite all the advantages given to the wealthy in the United States many of then (Mitt Romney included) have become secessionist it terms of moving large sums of money and jobs out of the country. When elections come around they wear their flag lapels and pretend as though they are partriots.

[JackAS12]

02:22 PM on 09/30/2012

Its the only way Hollywood learns about the country between New York and Los Angeles! Clint is a good businessman. I hope he makes a sequel to "talking to chair".

[Rich Cash]

08:07 PM on 09/07/2012

So frigging what? Hundreds of thousands of businesses and projects have benefited from government endowments, tax breaks, or contracts. Government support for any of them takes nothing away from the entrepreneurship, the creatiivity, the risk, and the simple hard work that it took for these entrepreneurs from making their businesses a success. The very idea that every business in America owes it's success to government largesse is absurd on its face.

[DarthCritic]

10:40 PM on 12/27/2012

There is a difference between totally owing your success, and acknowledging that you had help from others. I appreciate the hard work that people use when building a business, but it's the failure to acknowledge the context that is at issue. Government support is there to help those people (and doesn't take anything away from their accomplishments), but it is still there.

[azinv]

03:37 AM on 09/03/2012

Name one person, rep or dem that wouldn't take advantage of a tax credit? Stupid argument! The movies weren't produced because of the tax credit.

[ScapeGoat]

02:08 PM on 09/01/2012

Typical, tax tax credits with one hand and denounce them on the other.

[ScapeGoat]

02:08 PM on 09/01/2012

Sorry, the first tax should be take

[Nathan Brittles]

08:33 PM on 09/08/2012

Bearing in mind that Moore copped precisely the same credits with films like SICKO. As everyone is doing it, everyone is in a bind. When Tinseltown glitterati climb on board the ''Pay Your Fair Share'' train, they must confront the uncomfortable condition that allows Hollywood studios these tax breaks, allowing more money to be funneled into actor paycheck demands. [many of which are obsolete, and date back to WWII, when Hollywood was producing propaganda and patriotic films shown to the Armed Forces].

[ScapeGoat]

02:04 PM on 09/01/2012

Roosevelt repeated his call in the report to Congress for 1906, saying "I again recommend a law prohibiting all corporations from contributing to the campaign expenses of any party. Such a bill has already passed one House of Congress. Let individuals contribute as they desire; but let us prohibit in effective fashion all corporations from making contributions for any political purpose, directly or indirectly." This led to the Tillman act of 1907.

[oockla]

10:50 AM on 09/01/2012

HAve to say to the article author Jennifer.....I see you hung out in Austin and San Francisco....explains your point of view weirdo...............LOL.....same sex tree hugger!!

[oockla]

10:45 AM on 09/01/2012

Jennifer Bendery ...when will your president obama release those Columbia college records? I take it you like a president that cannot make a solid decision on anything but gives good speeches...IF REELECTED...WHO WILL HE BLAME THE NEXT 4 YEARS ON? Tell us that!

[ScapeGoat]

02:06 PM on 09/01/2012

When will Romney release his tax returns.
When will Romney release his college transcripts.

Why are you people so obsessed with seeing Obama's college transcripts.

Please explain your obsession.

[oockla]

02:27 PM on 09/01/2012

Likewise explain your obsession with his tax records.....but it seems to not bother you being a democrat....you guys support women's rights...right? So by supporting obama you also support the funds going to the "rebels" who in turn when they gain power invoke sharia law of which degrades women....now explain that, also explain how they kill homosexuals there too, being your party embraces this, so basically the things you guys say you stand for, you support someone who funds groups who actually oppress and kill like minded people....EXPLAIN THAT!!!

[oockla]

02:28 PM on 09/01/2012

Also explain, if re-elected....who will he blame the next 4 years on....lol.....you guys will lose and then i will come back here and gloat!!!

[MikeNFlorida]

11:35 PM on 08/31/2012

Well, if the seat's been taken, I'm sure the American people won't have any problems with him taking it to whatever country will have him after he's kicked out of office. He's ruined most of the furniture by propping his feet up on just about everything when he really need to get off his butt and do his job. He could start by submitting a budget. It has been four years. I know, time flys but it's about time he did something.

[ennis438]

10:56 PM on 08/31/2012

Theodore Roosevelt should have been in that empty chair that Eastwood and the Republican dog and pony show staged last night. Back in the days when Republicans were good people, Roosevelt could have given this bunch of insane loonies a few lectures on what the Republican Party once stood for. But , then again, Roosevelt would have been out of that racist, bigoted party long ago, if he were still alive. Because Theodore Roosevelt respected the American people, unlike this bunch of anti-Americans that have hijacked this party thanks to their pig friends named Koch and Trump.

[oockla]

10:42 AM on 09/01/2012

slavery would still exist in the former Confederate states as well as in the Union slave states that had been exempted from the proclamation. So the party committed itself to a constitutional amendment to abolish slavery. The overwhelmingly Republican Senate passed the Thirteenth Amendment by more than the necessary two-thirds majority on April 8, 1864. But not until January 31, 1865, did enough Democrats in the House abstain or vote for the amendment to pass it by a bare two-thirds. By December 18, 1865, the requisite three-quarters of the states had ratified the Thirteenth Amendment, which ensured that forever after “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude ... shall exist within the United States.”

(The Reader's Companion to American History. Eric Foner and John A. Garraty, Editors. Copyright © 1991 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.)

You need to do your history...go ahead...keep supporting the party that did not want to free slaves....the truth hurts!!!

[ScapeGoat]

02:04 PM on 09/01/2012

It was Democrats that got rid of Jim Crow laws and passed the Civil Rights Bill and the Voting Rights Bill. That is why southern Dems went to the republican party.

Lets deal with what is happening now and not 1860.

The republican part started out to be a liberal reform party but the rich and powerful got hold of it and changed it to what we have now.

[ennis438]

07:24 PM on 09/02/2012

And you go ahead and keep supporting the party that wants to have Mullah Omar dictate what women have the right to do and not do in their bedrooms. The truth hurts, doesn't it?

[wargames83]

09:22 PM on 09/03/2012

Teddy Roosevelt was a virulent racist and warmonger.

[stargazer13]

05:42 PM on 08/31/2012

free market society ?

nah !!

if that was true elected would have never bailed out bank,s investors

now!! what??
do we have ? to show !! for the 13 trillion dollars that all of us are on the hook to pay for

we have homeless in the millions hunger in the millions people being turned away from shelter aka rentals / property management because of get this bad credit scores !! we have companies that saying we are only looking for already employed people !! too Hire ! we have congress cutting the very funds that keep our middle class unemployed americans afloat !! they are not lazy couch potatoes they are the back bone of our nation

So with all due respect Mr Eastwood :)

I strongly disagree with your assumptions and beliefs :)

[Calixto Sanchez]

01:48 PM on 08/31/2012

What a silly and empty argument

Tax credits in amove mnentioned cases, are given to stimulate somebody, able to create wealth, to do it specific regions whihc benefit from it.

Therr is not way to say that government build it, it is all the opposite, the goverment benefited form it

[Mark Adams]

01:33 PM on 08/31/2012

Of course, what was missed here was the millions and millions of dollars funneled in to the economy by these films being shot in these cities and states.

[Adrian McDonald]

01:31 PM on 08/31/2012

Film tax credits, for the uninformed, are refundable or transferable in every jurisdiction except California. The are literally cash handouts. Production companies never incur tax liabilities, which is why they would be worthless unless the could be monetized. Make no mistake, the 42% tax credit means Michigan paid for 42% of the movie.