81R5433 JE-D By: Jackson, Mike S.B. No. 732 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a franchise tax credit for employers that allow employees to telecommute. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 171, Tax Code, is amended by adding Subchapter K to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER K. TAX CREDIT FOR EMPLOYERS WITH CERTAIN TELECOMMUTING EMPLOYEES Sec. 171.601. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Qualified employee" means a person who: (A) has a written agreement with a taxable entity that is the person's employer defining the duties of the taxable entity and person with respect to a job allowing the person to telecommute; (B) has a predetermined schedule with the taxable entity of when the person will telecommute; and (C) telecommutes at least 24 hours in a work week. (2) "Telecommute" means using telecommunications technology to work from an employee's residence. Sec. 171.602. ELIGIBILITY. A taxable entity is eligible for a credit against the tax imposed under this chapter for a period in the amount and under the conditions provided by this subchapter. Sec. 171.603. COMPUTATION OF CREDIT; LIMITATIONS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the total amount of the credit to which a taxable entity is entitled under this subchapter for a period is computed by: (1) determining the total number of qualified employees the taxable entity had each week in a period; and (2) multiplying the result of Subdivision (1) by $25. (b) The total credit claimed under this subchapter for a period may not exceed the total amount of franchise tax due for the report after any other applicable tax credits. Sec. 171.604. APPLICATION FOR CREDIT. (a) A taxable entity must apply for a credit under this subchapter on or with the tax report for the period for which the credit is claimed. (b) The comptroller shall adopt a form for the application for the credit. A taxable entity must use this form in applying for the credit. SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a report originally due on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2010.