Texas House Bill HB2939

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the deduction of certain officers' compensation as a cost of goods sold for purposes of the franchise tax.

Impact

If passed, HB 2939 may reshape the landscape of franchise tax deductions by explicitly permitting businesses to count certain types of officers' compensation as part of their cost of goods sold. This adjustment could benefit companies financially by reducing their overall tax burden. The bill is likely to affect revenue projections for the state, as an increase in allowable deductions could decrease the taxable income reported by these entities, thereby impacting state funding mechanisms dependent on franchise tax revenue.

Summary

House Bill 2939 proposes an amendment to Section 171.1012(e) of the Texas Tax Code, specifically addressing the treatment of certain officers' compensation in the context of franchise tax calculations. The bill aims to allow for the deduction of compensation paid to officers as a cost of goods sold, expanding the tax-deductible items for businesses. This potential change could have significant implications for taxation strategies utilized by companies operating within Texas, especially those with high compensation structures for their executives.

Contention

Notable points of contention may emerge during discussions and debates surrounding HB 2939, particularly from groups advocating for equitable taxation policies. Critics may argue that allowing high-level executives' compensation to be classified as a cost of goods sold could disproportionately benefit larger corporations while increasing the fiscal responsibilities of smaller businesses and the state. Concerns might also revolve around the fairness of tax deductions that do not align with general public perceptions of business tax responsibilities.