88R4267 CJD-D By: Guillen H.B. No. 2344 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a franchise tax credit for a taxable entity that assists an employee in obtaining a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 171, Tax Code, is amended by adding Subchapter K to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER K. TAX CREDIT FOR ASSISTING EMPLOYEES IN OBTAINING HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENCY CERTIFICATE Sec. 171.551. ENTITLEMENT TO CREDIT. A taxable entity is entitled to a credit in the amount and under the conditions provided by this subchapter against the tax imposed under this chapter. Sec. 171.552. QUALIFICATION. A taxable entity qualifies for a credit under this subchapter if the taxable entity helps at least one of the entity's employees obtain a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate during the period for which the report on which the credit is claimed is based. Sec. 171.553. AMOUNT OF CREDIT; LIMITATION. (a) Subject to Subsection (b), the amount of the credit for a report is the lesser of: (1) $2,000; or (2) two percent of the amount of franchise tax due for the report before the application of any other applicable credits. (b) The total credit claimed on a report may not exceed the amount of franchise tax due for the report after application of any other applicable credits. Sec. 171.554. APPLICATION FOR CREDIT. (a) A taxable entity must apply for a credit under this subchapter on or with the report for the period for which the credit is claimed. (b) The comptroller shall promulgate a form for the application for the credit. A taxable entity must use the form in applying for the credit. (c) The comptroller may require a taxable entity to submit with an application any information the comptroller determines is necessary to determine whether the taxable entity qualifies for the credit under Section 171.552. Sec. 171.555. RULES. The comptroller shall adopt rules necessary to implement and administer this subchapter. SECTION 2. Subchapter K, Chapter 171, Tax Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a report originally due on or after January 1, 2024. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2024.