Texas Seeking Applicants for $20M Music Incubator Rebate Program
AUSTIN, Texas — Qualifying Texas music venues and festival promoters can apply as of today for a full or partial rebate of certain taxes in a bid by the Texas governor’s office to help support the live music industry in communities across the state.
In an announcement posted online this morning, Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Music Office said as much as $20.2 million in funding has been approved for the program, which Abbott signed into law in 2021.
The first application period opened Friday, Sept. 1 through Nov. 30.
“Music is key to the Texas brand,” Abbott said in a written statement. “A vibrant music industry in communities across Texas not only adds to the quality of life, it is a competitive advantage, helping Texas attract major capital investments, culturally diverse talent and new jobs across many industries.”
Abbott estimated that with the support of the Texas Music Office, the Texas music industry accounted for more than 192,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs statewide last year.
“As live music venues and events in Texas continue to rebuild and come back even stronger, the Texas Music Incubator Rebate Program will help spur further growth and expansion in every region of the state,” Abbott said.
The Texas Music Office was years in development, and through its Texas Music Incubator Rebate Program, provides assistance to Texas music businesses and communities across the state.
“I am thrilled at the launch of this groundbreaking program, designed to uplift and sustain the music venues that are the lifeblood of our Texas communities,” said state Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Houston Democrat.
“These venues are more than just stages. They are platforms for cultural expression, catalysts for economic development and hubs for community engagement.
“With this session’s appropriation of $20,200,000 we are not just investing in entertainment, we are investing in job creation, tourism and the artistic soul of Texas,” she said.
The TMIR Program provides a full or partial rebate of mixed beverage gross receipts taxes and sales taxes remitted in the prior fiscal year, up to $100,000, to eligible music venues or music festival promoters in Texas.
The rebates are to assist eligible venues and promoters in their efforts to create and support live music performance across Texas. Entities are eligible for only one rebate per tax ID per fiscal year.
Future rounds of applications will be announced pending available funds, the governor’s office said.
Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue
