Relating to the authority of certain governmental entities to receive local sales tax information.
Impact
The proposed legislation amends existing sections of the Texas Tax Code to include more comprehensive provisions regarding the handling of tax information. Specifically, it establishes a new section that mandates the comptroller to provide aggregate tax information to designated taxing entities. This will support and facilitate better economic forecasting, as well as enhance the auditing processes of tax payments being remitted by businesses within their respective jurisdictions.
Summary
House Bill 4109 addresses the authority of specific governmental entities, such as rapid transit and regional transportation authorities, to receive local sales tax information from the Texas comptroller. The bill seeks to improve transparency and capability for these entities by allowing them access to relevant tax data pertaining to persons conducting business within their operational areas. This access is contingent upon certain conditions regarding the volume of tax payments and the type of agreements these entities have entered into.
Contention
Although the bill's intent seems to foster improved governmental oversight and facilitate better tax administration, there might be contention around the confidentiality of the data shared. The bill stipulates that information received by taxing entities is confidential and not open to public inspection. This raises potential concerns regarding privacy and the scope of access that governmental entities have to taxpayer information, which could lead to debates on government overreach versus the need for accountability in tax collection.
Notable_points
Furthermore, the legislation allows the comptroller to set reasonable fees for the provision of the requested information, which may invoke discussions surrounding equitable funding for tax data management versus the burden this might impose on local entities. Critics may also analyze the effect of such measures on smaller businesses and how these entities navigate tax obligations under the new access provisions established by HB4109.
Relating to authorized investments of public money by certain governmental entities and the confidentiality of certain information related to those investments.
Relating to agreements authorizing a limitation on taxable value of certain property to provide for the creation of jobs and the generation of state and local tax revenue; authorizing fees; authorizing penalties.
Relating to the creation and operation of a development zone by and the tax revenue received by The Woodlands Township; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments and taxes.
Relating to the eligibility of certain entities for services and commodity items provided by the Department of Information Resources and statewide technology centers.
Relating to the regulation of the cultivation, manufacture, processing, distribution, sale, testing, transportation, delivery, transfer, possession, use, and taxation of cannabis and cannabis products and the local regulation of cannabis establishments; providing for expunction of records relating to certain decriminalized conduct; authorizing the imposition of fees; requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense; imposing a tax.
Relating to the creation and operation of a development zone by and the tax revenue received by The Woodlands Township; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments and taxes.
Relating to the transfer of the regulation of property tax professionals from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to the comptroller of public accounts; providing civil and administrative penalties.
Relating to the abolishment of the Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities and the transfer of its functions to the Texas Workforce Commission.
Relating to the abolishment of the Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities and the transfer of its functions to the comptroller of public accounts.
Relating to a Pan American Games trust fund, an Olympic Games trust fund, a Major Events trust fund, a Motor Sports Racing trust fund, and an Events trust fund for sporting and non-sporting events, and to the abolishment of the special event trust fund.