Texas House Bill HB3869

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of tangible personal property held for sale at retail.

Impact

The legislation modifies existing tax code sections to include provisions about the declaration of retail inventory and how it should be valued. Retailers are now required to file annual declarations that detail their inventory and its respective market value. This change is designed to improve tax revenue consistency from retail businesses and ensure that all retailers are evaluated fairly within the framework established by the state. The bill's effective date is set for January 1, 2020, and only affects the ad valorem tax years beginning on or after this date.

Summary

House Bill 3869 addresses the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of tangible personal property held for sale at retail. The bill aims to clarify the assessment process for retailers regarding their inventory by establishing measures to determine market value based on annual sales. Specifically, it includes amendments to the Texas Tax Code which influence how retailers are taxed, highlighting the necessity for a uniform approach in appraising retail inventories across the state.

Contention

Key points of contention regarding HB 3869 revolve around the administrative burden it may impose on smaller retailers who must comply with new filing requirements. Some may feel that the obligation to submit detailed sales records could pose challenges, potentially leading to disparities in the treatment of larger versus smaller retail operations. Moreover, the specific mechanism for calculating the market value of inventory was scrutinized, particularly concerning how the changes might disproportionately affect businesses with fluctuating inventory levels or seasonal sales.