Texas House Bill HB4747

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 3/10/23

Caption

Relating to a franchise tax credit for taxable entities that provide child care.

Impact

If enacted, HB4747 would amend the Texas Tax Code by adding provisions that grant credits to businesses that help cover child care costs either directly through their facilities or indirectly by subsidizing local licensed child care centers. This change is expected to encourage more businesses to invest in child care solutions, potentially increasing the availability of services for working families. The bill outlines that the credit would be capped at one percent of the franchise tax due or the amount actually spent on providing such child care, whichever is lesser.

Summary

House Bill 4747, introduced by Representative Bernal, proposes a franchise tax credit specifically aimed at providing financial support to businesses that offer child care services. This bill allows taxable entities to receive a credit against their franchise tax for subsidizing child care costs for their employees. The intended goal of HB4747 is to alleviate the financial burden on families and encourage a more robust child care system within Texas, ultimately benefiting the state's economy by ensuring that parents can participate in the workforce without undue stress from child care costs.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB4747 appears to be generally positive among legislators and stakeholders who recognize the importance of child care for economic stability. Supporters argue that enhancing access to child care will help parents re-enter the workforce and contribute to economic growth. However, further scrutiny is needed to address concerns over the adequacy of the credit in truly alleviating child care costs and ensuring that the benefits reach the employees most in need.

Contention

Notable points of contention stem from concerns about the effectiveness of the franchise tax credit model in addressing the complexities of child care needs across different regions. Critics may question whether the bill's provisions adequately account for the diverse child care landscape in Texas and whether the proposed tax credits will be sufficient to incentivize businesses to provide significant child care support. This debate highlights broader issues related to the varying capabilities of businesses to absorb such costs and the necessity for more comprehensive child care policy reforms.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Tax Code

• Chapter 171. Franchise Tax
  • Section: New Section