Texas House Bill HB637

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to a deduction under the franchise tax for certain contracts with the federal government.

Impact

The impact of HB637 is significant as it modifies existing state tax laws to explicitly facilitate deductions for costs related to contracts with the federal government. Businesses involved in federal contracts would benefit from this amendment by potentially reducing their overall tax liability. Specifically, the bill highlights deductions related to costs for training replacements for service members and other allowable costs under federal regulations. This change could incentivize more companies to engage in federal contracting by making it financially advantageous.

Summary

House Bill 637 aims to amend the Tax Code of Texas by allowing taxable entities to take specific deductions under the franchise tax for contracts with the federal government. The primary focus of this bill is to enhance support for businesses engaged in providing goods and services to federal entities, by enabling them to reduce their taxable margin based on associated costs. This move is intended to alleviate some financial burdens on these entities, thereby encouraging more participation in federal contracts.

Contention

While the bill is largely aimed at supporting businesses, there may be concerns regarding the overall implications of tax deductions on the state's revenue. Some lawmakers may debate whether these deductions could lead to decreased funding for state programs that rely on franchise tax revenues. Additionally, there may be contrasting views on the fairness of providing these deductions specifically for federal contract-related expenses, particularly when considering the diverse financial situations of small vs. large entities engaging with the federal government.