Texas Senate Bill SB1904

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to authorizing the extension of deadlines for filing or paying state taxes for persons adversely affected by a disaster.

Impact

Should SB1904 be enacted, it will have significant implications for Texas tax law, particularly in the context of disaster management and response. It will streamline the process for individuals who are impacted by disasters, allowing them to delay tax obligations without the accruement of interest and tax penalties during the extension period. This could lead to improved compliance among affected taxpayers who might otherwise struggle to meet their obligations amidst recovery efforts following disasters.

Summary

SB1904, introduced by Senator Blanco, seeks to amend state tax regulations to authorize extended deadlines for filing or paying state taxes for individuals adversely affected by disasters. The bill provides that the Texas Comptroller may grant extensions of up to 90 days for tax payments and filings, which may be expanded further through an executive order by the governor in cases of severe disasters. This legislation recognizes the unique challenges that disasters pose for individuals and seeks to alleviate some of the financial pressures they may experience during recovery efforts.

Contention

While the bill aims to provide necessary relief, there may be points of contention regarding its implementation and the criteria used by the Comptroller to determine who qualifies for such extensions. Some lawmakers could express concerns over potential misuse or the administrative burden on tax authorities tasked with processing these extensions. The conversation surrounding the bill will likely involve debates about the balance between providing relief and ensuring that tax revenue does not suffer unduly during times of high demand for governmental resources due to disaster prevention and response.