Texas House Bill HB1116

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to tax incentives for certain businesses for job creation and retention.

Impact

The bill is primarily designed to lower the tax burden on businesses that demonstrate a commitment to retaining and creating jobs. By establishing a mechanism where businesses can offset their state tax liabilities based on the wages they pay, it aims to stimulate economic growth and foster a more robust job market in Texas. However, it also raises questions about the potential effectiveness of such incentives and whether they will truly result in long-term job retention and creation or merely serve as temporary tax relief for businesses already operating in the state.

Summary

House Bill 1116 proposes tax incentives aimed at businesses that engage in job creation and retention activities within the state of Texas. The bill amends Chapter 111 of the Tax Code, introducing Subchapter H, which allows qualified businesses to receive refunds or credits against state sales and use taxes, as well as state franchise taxes paid in a particular calendar year. The intent is to encourage businesses to increase employment by providing financial relief tied directly to their payroll expenditures, thus incentivizing wage growth in the state.

Contention

Discussion around HB1116 may center on how these tax incentives could affect state taxation overall and whether the benefits of job creation outweigh the costs associated with the tax credits. Critics may argue that the bill could disproportionately benefit larger businesses while providing little incentive for smaller, emerging companies. There are concerns regarding the accountability of tax refunds and credits, as well as whether businesses will genuinely increase employee wages and job numbers in response to the tax incentives or simply benefit from the reduction in taxes without any substantial changes in their operations.