Empire State Newspaper and Broadcast Media Jobs Program

Empire State Development, New York State’s lead economic development organization, is accepting applications for the Empire State Newspaper and Broadcast Media Jobs Program through April 24, 2026. Authorized through December 31, 2027, the $30 million annual program provides refundable tax credits to eligible newspapers and broadcast media businesses operating in New York State for both the retention of existing staff and the creation of new full-time positions. 

 Key Takeaways 

• Applications are being accepted through April 24, 2026, for the Empire State Newspaper and Broadcast Media Jobs Program.
• This refundable tax credit is focused on both new and existing jobs.
• Eligible businesses must be independently owned, operate in New York state, and have required media liability insurance; print media can also qualify. 

Eligibility 

An organization is eligible if it is an independently owned print or broadcast media business that carries media liability insurance continuously for one year prior to claiming the tax credit.  

Print media businesses may also qualify by demonstrating a reduction in circulation or full-time equivalent employees of at least 20% over the previous five years. 

For broadcast media businesses, each FCC-licensed broadcast station serving a separate geographic market is treated as a separate broadcast media business. Similarly, each distinct print media publication serving a separate market is considered a separate print media business. 

Tax Credit Components 

The Newspaper and Broadcast Media Jobs Tax Credit has two parts: 

• New Job Creation Component: provides a credit of $5,000 per net new full-time job created annually. The maximum annual credit under this component is $20,000 for each print or broadcast media business. 
• Existing Jobs Component: provides a credit equal to 50% of the annual wages of a qualified full-time employee, capped at $50,000 in annual wages paid per qualified employee. 

An organization can receive a total of $320,000 annually in tax credits for each print or broadcast media business it owns. 

Application Process 

Applicants must apply via Empire State Development, utilizing the agency’s Consolidated Funding Application. 

As part of the application, an eligible business must: 

• Provide evidence of its business eligibility. 
• Agree to allow the Department of Taxation and Finance and the Department of Labor to share their tax and employer information with the Department of Economic Development. This information is not subject to the State Freedom of Information Law.
• Allow the department to access any books and records needed to monitor compliance.
• Provide any additional information requested by the department. 

Applications are processed on a pro-rata basis. If qualified applications exceed the available annual funding, awards will be prorated, but the reduction will not exceed 50%. If applications exceed twice the annual funding, awards will be prorated up to 50% and processed in the order received, with any remaining applications not receiving funding. 

Upon review, if the applicant meets all eligibility criteria, the department will admit them into the program and issue a certificate of tax credit specifying the exact amount of the credit. 

How We Can Help 

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