Texas House Bill HB33

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the EZ computation of the franchise tax.

Impact

The legislation is expected to have significant implications for small businesses, as it intends to reduce the financial burden of franchise taxes through simplified calculations. By allowing smaller entities to calculate their tax liabilities based on their total revenue and applying a straightforward tax rate, the bill could potentially encourage business growth and foster a more favorable economic environment for small enterprises in Texas.

Summary

House Bill 33 addresses the computation of the franchise tax within Texas, particularly focusing on simplifying the tax obligations for smaller businesses. The bill proposes that taxable entities with total revenues not exceeding $10 million may opt for an 'EZ computation' method to determine their tax obligations. This approach aims to streamline the tax calculation process, making it more accessible for small businesses that may struggle with the complexity of traditional tax calculations.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its intention to assist smaller businesses, there may be points of contention among larger corporations that are subject to the standard franchise tax computations. Critics could argue that simplifying the tax process for smaller businesses may lead to inequities in tax burdens, potentially escalating debate about fairness in tax policy. Furthermore, there may be concerns regarding the potential revenue impact on the state if a substantial number of businesses choose the EZ computation over the traditional method.