LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 19, 2009 TO: Honorable Rene Oliveira, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB4267 by Howard, Charlie (Relating to the determination of ownership of goods for the purpose of deducting the cost of goods sold under the franchise tax.), As Introduced The bill will have a direct impact of a revenue loss to the Property Tax Relief Fund of $23,978,000 for the 2010-11 biennium. Any loss to the Property Tax Relief Fund will have to be made up with General Revenue of the same amount to fund property tax relief. LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 19, 2009 TO: Honorable Rene Oliveira, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB4267 by Howard, Charlie (Relating to the determination of ownership of goods for the purpose of deducting the cost of goods sold under the franchise tax.), As Introduced TO: Honorable Rene Oliveira, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB4267 by Howard, Charlie (Relating to the determination of ownership of goods for the purpose of deducting the cost of goods sold under the franchise tax.), As Introduced Honorable Rene Oliveira, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means Honorable Rene Oliveira, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board HB4267 by Howard, Charlie (Relating to the determination of ownership of goods for the purpose of deducting the cost of goods sold under the franchise tax.), As Introduced HB4267 by Howard, Charlie (Relating to the determination of ownership of goods for the purpose of deducting the cost of goods sold under the franchise tax.), As Introduced The bill will have a direct impact of a revenue loss to the Property Tax Relief Fund of $23,978,000 for the 2010-11 biennium. Any loss to the Property Tax Relief Fund will have to be made up with General Revenue of the same amount to fund property tax relief. The bill will have a direct impact of a revenue loss to the Property Tax Relief Fund of $23,978,000 for the 2010-11 biennium. Any loss to the Property Tax Relief Fund will have to be made up with General Revenue of the same amount to fund property tax relief. General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds 2010 $0 2011 $0 2012 $0 2013 $0 2014 $0 2010 $0 2011 $0 2012 $0 2013 $0 2014 $0 All Funds, Five-Year Impact: Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) fromProperty Tax Relief Fund304 2010 ($11,841,000) 2011 ($12,137,000) 2012 ($12,562,000) 2013 ($13,065,000) 2014 ($14,587,000) Fiscal Year Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) fromProperty Tax Relief Fund304 2010 ($11,841,000) 2011 ($12,137,000) 2012 ($12,562,000) 2013 ($13,065,000) 2014 ($14,587,000) 2010 ($11,841,000) 2011 ($12,137,000) 2012 ($12,562,000) 2013 ($13,065,000) 2014 ($14,587,000) Fiscal Analysis The bill would amend Chapter 171 of the Tax Code (franchise tax) by adding language regarding ownership of the goods in relation to subtracting cost of goods sold for purposes of calculating the franchise tax. The added language would allow a taxable entity to be considered the owner of goods sold if as a result of selling the goods the entity reports gross revenue and a separate cost of sales on the entity's financial statements regardless of whether the entity at any point has legal title to the goods. Under current law, a taxable entity could make a subtraction for cost of goods sold only if the entity owns the goods, with certain exceptions set out in the law. The bill would take effect on January 1, 2010, and apply to reports due on or after that date. The bill would amend Chapter 171 of the Tax Code (franchise tax) by adding language regarding ownership of the goods in relation to subtracting cost of goods sold for purposes of calculating the franchise tax. The added language would allow a taxable entity to be considered the owner of goods sold if as a result of selling the goods the entity reports gross revenue and a separate cost of sales on the entity's financial statements regardless of whether the entity at any point has legal title to the goods. Under current law, a taxable entity could make a subtraction for cost of goods sold only if the entity owns the goods, with certain exceptions set out in the law. The bill would take effect on January 1, 2010, and apply to reports due on or after that date. Methodology The bill would allow some taxable entities to subtract cost of goods sold to determine franchise tax who cannot do so under current law. Contract manufacturers are one group that could be affected. Consignment stores in the trade sector could also be affected. The estimate is based on franchise tax return data for 2008 for entities in the manufacturing and trade industries who did not take any cost of goods sold deductions. Local Government Impact No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts LBB Staff: JOB, MN, SD, SM JOB, MN, SD, SM