By: Nelson, et al. S.B. No. 7 (In the Senate - Filed February 24, 2015; February 24, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Finance; March 23, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 13, Nays 2; March 23, 2015, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 7 By: Nelson A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the computation of and to decreasing the rates of the franchise tax. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 171.002(a) and (b), Tax Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) Subject to Sections 171.003 and 171.1016 and except as provided by Subsection (b), the rate of the franchise tax is 0.85 [one] percent of taxable margin. (b) Subject to Sections 171.003 and 171.1016, the rate of the franchise tax is 0.425 [0.5] percent of taxable margin for those taxable entities primarily engaged in retail or wholesale trade. SECTION 2. Sections 171.1016(a) and (b), Tax Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a taxable entity whose total revenue from its entire business is not more than $20 [$10] million may elect to pay the tax imposed under this chapter in the amount computed and at the rate provided by this section rather than in the amount computed and at the tax rate provided by Section 171.002. (b) The amount of the tax for which a taxable entity that elects to pay the tax as provided by this section is liable is computed by: (1) determining the taxable entity's total revenue from its entire business, as determined under Section 171.1011; (2) apportioning the amount computed under Subdivision (1) to this state, as provided by Section 171.106, to determine the taxable entity's apportioned total revenue; and (3) multiplying the amount computed under Subdivision (2) by the rate of 0.331 [0.575] percent. SECTION 3. This Act applies only to a report originally due on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect January 1, 2016. * * * * *