Tax Policy News

The Texas Legislature made progress this year on bread-and-butter issues we have identified as key to the future of our growing state.

School finance and property taxes dominated the regular session, as lawmakers boosted public education funding and worked to rein in the growth of property tax bills. Our office analyzed the complicated issue of school funding in a special Fiscal Notes report that we released early in the session.

Our office also received more flexibility in overseeing the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF), often referred to as the Rainy Day Fund. Lawmakers allowed us to put a larger portion of the fund into investments that will yield bigger returns for the state. It is a step toward our goal of fully utilizing the power of the ESF, which we project will exceed $9 billion at the end of the 2020-21 biennium.

Many of our other priority issues saw action as well. Among them, lawmakers bolstered the Teacher Retirement System and TRS-Care, its health care program; ensured we have the funds to meet our commitments under the Texas Tomorrow Fund college savings plan; and gave us the authority to set a uniform sales and use tax rate for out-of-state sellers on the internet, allowing us to properly implement the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Wayfair case.

Much of the progress was made easier by our strong economy. In delivering the Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE) at the beginning of the session, we forecast an 8.1 percent increase in state revenue available for general-purpose spending, for a total of $119.1 billion. We increased that by another $518 million late in the session.

We are continuing to keep a close eye on the economy as we lay the groundwork for the next BRE and the 2021 legislative session, which will be here before we know it.

Definition of Individual
House Bill 4542
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

House Bill 4542 defines “individual” as a natural person. This definition applies to taxes imposed under Title 2, Tax Code.

Adds Tax Code Section 111.0023 (Definition of Individual)

Exemption for Certain Boats and Boat Motors
House Bill 4032
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

House Bill 4032 changes the definition of a boat to include all vessels 115 feet or shorter in length, measured from the tip of the bow in a straight line to the stern. This includes both commercial and noncommercial boats, regardless of who sold the boat.

The bill creates an exemption for boats and motors sold for use in another state if the boat or motor

• is removed from this state within 10 days of purchase;
• is placed in a repair facility for repairs or modifications within 10 days of purchase and removed from this state within 20 days of completion of the repairs or modifications; or
• displays a temporary use permit and is removed from this state within 90 days of purchase.

The bill also provides for the issuance of a temporary use permit allowing exempt use in Texas of a taxable boat or boat motor purchased outside of Texas. The fee for the permit is $150 and is valid for 90 days. An owner can obtain two permits per calendar year. The second permit cannot be issued before the 30th day after the date the first permit expires.

Lastly, the bill limits the amount of boat sales tax on the sale of a taxable boat or motor to $18,750 (300,000 taxable sales price). The bill also changes the due date for boat and boat motor sales and use tax to 45 working days (previously 20) after the taxable boat or motor is delivered to the purchaser or brought into Texas for use.

Amends Parks and Wildlife Code Sections 31.003 (Definitions), 31.006 (Appointment of Authorized Agent), 31.037 (Change in Ownership Interest; Notice to Department), 31.041 (Dealer's, Distributor's, and Manufacturer's License), 31.046 (Application for Certificate of Title), and 31.053 (Transfers of Vessels and Outboard Motors)

Amends Tax Code Sections 160.001 (Definitions) and 160.041(Collection Procedure)

Adds Tax Code Sections 160.0246 (Exemption for Certain Boats and Motors Temporarily Used In This State), 160.0247 (Temporary Use Permit), and 160.026 (Limitation on Amount of Tax)

Sales and Purchase of Cigarette, E-Cigarette and Tobacco Products to Minors
Senate Bill 21
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

Senate Bill 21 increases the legal age from 18 to 21 for the sale, distribution, possession, purchase, consumption, or receipt of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or tobacco products. The bill exempts the following from the new age requirement:

• individuals who are at least 18 years of age, in the United States military forces or state military forces and present a valid military identification card at the time of purchase
• individuals born on or before Aug. 31, 2001

The bill removes the provision allowing minors to have tobacco products in the presence of a parent, guardian, or a spouse.

The Comptroller’s office will mail information packets prior to Sept. 1, 2019, including new warning notice signs, to all cigarette and tobacco products retailers reflecting Senate Bill 21 legislative changes.

Amends Health and Safety Code, Subchapters H (Distribution of Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes or Tobacco Products), N (E-Cigarette and Tobacco Use by Minors), and R (Delivery Sales of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes) and makes other conforming changes

Cigarette Tax, Chapter 154 and Cigar and Tobacco Products Tax, Chapter 155
House Bill 4614 (Chapter 154)
House Bill 3475 (Chapter 155)
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

The bills modernize Chapters 154 (Cigarette Tax) and Chapter 155 (Cigar and Tobacco Product Tax) to reflect developments and current industry practices, by adding and amending definitions of terms that are instrumental in interpreting taxability, enforcing violations, and resolving issues arising from litigation or general inquiries received by the Comptroller’s office.

Both House Bills 3475 and 4614

• defines the term “engaged in business” and amend the definitions of “bonded agent,” “manufacturer,” “individual package of cigarettes,” and “first sale.” The definition of first sale replaces sales in “intrastate commerce” with sales “in or into this state.” The definition also outlines transactions that constitute a first sale, such as sales between “a distributor in or outside this state to a distributor, wholesaler, or retailer in this state”. In addition, the definition provides activities that do not constitute a first sale, such as sales between “a manufacturer outside this state to a distributor in this state;” and
• outlines the purchase and sale requirements for various types of permit holders. For example, a permitted distributor may sell cigarettes only to a permitted distributor, wholesaler, or retailer.

House Bill 4614

• amends permit requirements by excluding research facilities that possess and use cigarettes only for experimental purposes;
• requires persons providing roll-your-own machines for consumer use to obtain applicable permits; and
• prevents the issuance of a permit to a residence or a public storage unit.

Amends Tax Code, Chapters 154 (Cigarette Tax) and 155 (Cigars and Tobacco Products Tax)

Exclusion from Total Revenue for Certain Payments Made by a Performing Rights Society
Senate Bill 1824
Effective June 4, 2019

Senate Bill 1824 allows a taxable entity that is a performing rights society to exclude from total revenue, to the extent included in its total revenue, payments made to the public performance rights holder and copyright owner for whom the taxable entity licenses the public performance.

Amends Tax Code, Section 171.1011, (Determination of Total Revenue from Entire Business), to add Section (g-12)

Additional Deduction in Determining Margin for Entities in the Aerospace Industry
House Bill 1607
Effective Jan. 1, 2020

House Bill 1607 allows certain taxable entities in the aerospace industry, when determining margin, to deduct costs properly allocated and incurred under the Federal Acquisition Regulation for the sale of goods or services to the federal government that the taxable entity has not already subtracted under either the cost of goods sold or compensation deduction. The deduction of these costs will be phased in over a five-year period.

Amends Tax Code, Section 171.101, (Determination of Taxable Margin), to add Sections (e) and (f)

Hotel and Convention Center Projects
House Bill 4347
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

The bill defines

• retail establishment (based on NAICS Codes)
• qualified convention center facility, including a minimum size requirement of 10,000 square feet

There are currently 29 cities eligible to create hotel projects. The bill creates four different types of projects and adds 19 new cities for a total of 48 cities. The new types of projects are

1. Qualified Project No Zone
   • Qualified Project No Zone cities are eligible to receive rebates from a qualified hotel, and bars, restaurants, and retail establishments inside or connected to the qualified convention center facility or qualified hotel for 10 years.
   • The rebates may be made up of state sales and hotel tax; county hotel tax; and county mixed beverage and special purpose district sales taxes by agreement with a local jurisdiction.
   • Cities must own the qualified convention center facility and the land for the qualified hotel, except for Fredericksburg and Grand Prairie.
   • Cities may only have one qualified project, except for Amarillo, Arlington, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Grand Prairie, Irving, Lubbock, and San Antonio.
   • Kemah and Arlington are eligible for additional benefits described in sections 3 and 4 below, respectively.
2. Qualified Project Zone
   • Qualified Project Zone cities are eligible to receive rebates from a qualified hotel, bars, restaurants, and retail establishments not more than 1,000 feet from the wall of the hotel or qualified convention center facility.
   • The cities are eligible for additional rebates of state sales tax and local mixed beverage tax for bars, restaurants, and retail establishments within the 1,000 foot zone.
   • In addition, Celina, El Paso, and Round Rock receive rebates from swimming pools, or swimming facilities owned or operated by the related hotel.
   • This type of project must be commenced by Sept. 1, 2023.
3. Multipurpose Convention Center Facility Project
   • Facilities eligible to generate rebates are the convention center/sports stadium, hotel, any new or existing business within 2,500 feet of the hotel or the convention center, and parking facilities with a property line not more than 2 miles from the wall of the convention center.
   • The rebates may be made up of state sales and hotel taxes, and local sales, hotel, mixed beverage, and ad valorem taxes by agreement with a local jurisdiction.
4. Section 351.102(b) Projects (Current law)
   • Facilities eligible to generate rebates are the hotel and facilities ancillary to the hotel (shops exclusively selling tangible personal property, restaurants, etc.) within 1,000 feet of the hotel or convention center.
   • The rebates may be made up of state sales and hotel taxes, and local sales, hotel, mixed beverage, and ad valorem taxes by agreement with a local jurisdiction.
   • In addition, Arlington receives state mixed beverage tax and is eligible for rebates for 30 years.

Amends Tax Code Sections 351.001 (Definitions) and 351.102 (Pledge for Bonds)

Amends Sections 351.102(d) and 351.102(f), and redesignates those Sections as 351.1063 (Allocation of Revenue for Advertising and Promotion: Certain Municipalities with Certain Projects) and 351.1064 (Allocation of Revenue for Certain Sporting Event Expenses: Certain Municipalities with Qualified Project)

Adds Sections 351.1021 (Pledge or Commitment of Certain Tax Revenue); 351.1022 (Pledge or Commitment of Certain Tax Revenue by Certain Municipalities with Sports Stadiums); 351.10712 (Allocation of Revenue for Construction and Maintenance of Sports-Related Facilities by Certain Municipalities)

Adds Tax Code Subchapter 351 C (Municipal Hotel and Convention Center Projects)

Repeals Tax Code Sections 351.102 (b-1), (c-1), and (g) (Pledge for Bonds)

Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority Fee (Renamed Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority under Senate Bill 604)
House Bill 2048
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

House Bill 2048 increases the fee from $2 to $4 per motor vehicle year, and allocates the fee to the authority, to the general revenue fund, and to medical facilities providing trauma and emergency medical services to victims of accidents resulting from traffic offenses.

Amends Section 10(b) of V.T.C.S. Art. 4413(37) (Fee)

Travel Insurance
House Bill 2587
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

House Bill 2587 provides regulatory guidance regarding the business of travel insurance, which includes a definition of “travel insurance.” The bill provides that only travel insurance is subject to premium tax and not other related services sold with the travel insurance.

Adds Chapter 3504 (Travel Insurance) to and amends Chapter 4055 (Specialty Agents) of the Insurance Code

Adds Subsection (b)(15) to Section 221.002 (Tax Imposed; Rate) of Insurance Code

Nonprofit Legal Services Corporations
Senate Bill 1623
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

Senate Bill 1623 exempts Nonprofit Legal Services Corporations from regulation by the Texas Department of Insurance. As a result, these corporations are no longer subject to the Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC) assessment and will no longer report the applicable maintenance tax.

Amends Insurance Code, Section 501.204(a) (Assessment on Life, Health, and Accident Insurers and Related Entities)

Repeals Insurance Code, Chapter 260 (Nonprofit Legal Services Corporations)

Sale of Electricity to a Public School District
House Bill 2263
Effective Jan. 1, 2024

House Bill 2263 provides an exemption for gross receipts received from the sale of electricity to a public school district customer.

Amends Tax Code, Section 182.022 (Imposition and Rate of Tax), by adding subsection (d)

Mixed Beverage Sales Tax Returns
House Bill 3006
Effective Oct. 1, 2019

House Bill 3006 requires mixed beverage sales tax returns and payments to be filed monthly, no later than the 20th day of each month. Taxpayers can no longer file quarterly mixed beverage sales tax returns. The bill also provides that mixed beverage sales tax returns are public information.

Final quarterly reports for the period ending Sept. 30, 2019 are due no later than Oct. 21, 2019. Monthly reports reflecting October sales are due no later than Nov. 20, 2019.

Amends Tax Code Section 183.043 (Applicability of Other Law)

Adds Tax Code Sections 183.0421 (Tax Return Due Date) and 183.0422 (Payment)

Reports by Persons Involved in the Distribution of Alcoholic Beverages
House Bill 4542
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

The bill requires brewpubs, as licensed under Chapter 74 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code, to report monthly alcoholic beverage sales to retailers to the Comptroller’s office.

The bill also requires a Retail Inventory Tracking System (RITS) request to be sufficiently detailed to protect the confidentiality of another person’s sales information. The bill gives authority to the Comptroller’s office to adopt administrative rules for RITS, including rules requiring a person requesting RITS reports to file reports on the distribution of their products to other persons.

Adds Tax Code Section 151.4661 (Applicability to Certain Brewpubs)

Amends Tax Code Sections 111.006 (Confidentiality of Information), 151.461 (Definitions), 151.462 (Reports by Brewers, Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Distributors), 151.468 (Civil Penalty; Criminal Penalty), and 151.470 (Audit; Inspection)

Defining a Volunteer Fire Department
House Bill 791
Effective May 24, 2019

House Bill 791 adds the definition of “volunteer fire department” to mean a fire department operated by its members, including a part-paid fire department composed of at least 50 percent volunteer firefighters. Previous Comptroller’s office policy required that a volunteer fire department must be wholly volunteer in order to qualify for a refund of the motor fuels tax.

Amends Tax Code, Section 162.001 (Definitions) by adding subdivision (63)

Transportation of Gasoline or Diesel Fuel via Barge or Marine Vessel
House Bill 3954
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

House Bill 3954 expands the definition of the term “bulk transfer/terminal system” to include “marine vessel” and “motor fuel storage facility” and specifies that a “bulk transfer” must occur within the United States.

The bill imposes tax on gasoline and diesel fuel sold and loaded into a marine vessel in Texas to a person who does not hold an appropriate license and requires the seller to collect and remit the tax due.

The bill provides that shipping documents, in lieu of a bill of lading, may be used to document the export of diesel fuel to a foreign destination for the purposes of exemption.

Amends Tax Code, Sections 162.001 (Definitions), 162.101 (Point of Imposition of Gasoline Tax), 162.104 (Exemptions), 162.201 (Point of Imposition of Diesel Fuel Tax) and 162.204 (Exemptions)

Motor Vehicles Used For Religious Purposes
House Bill 2338
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

House Bill 2338 redefines “motor vehicle used for religious purposes” to mean a motor vehicle used by a church or religious society and not used primarily for the personal or official needs or duties of a minister. A motor vehicle used for religious purposes is not limited to a certain number of passengers and can be a trailer.

Amends Tax Code Section 152.001 (Definitions)

Texas Emissions Reduction Plan Fund Surcharge
House Bill 3745
Effective Aug. 30, 2019

The Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) Surcharge is a surcharge imposed on the retail sale, lease, or use in this state of every on-road diesel motor vehicle that is over 14,000 pounds.

The surcharge is imposed at a rate of

• 1.0 percent on vehicles model year 1997 and later; or
• 2.5 percent on vehicles model year 1996 and earlier.

House Bill 3745 extends the expiration of the TERP Surcharge from Aug. 31, 2019 to the last day of the fiscal biennium in which the state attains compliance with federal ambient air quality standards for ground-level ozone.

Amends Tax Code Section 152.0215 (Texas Emissions Reduction Plan Surcharge)

Exemption for Oil and Gas Produced from Certain Inactive Wells
Senate Bill 533
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

Senate Bill 533 reinstates a program under which the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) may certify two-year inactive wells for the purpose of a severance tax exemption. The bill repeals the definition of a three-year inactive well. The bill reduces the time period for the tax exemption from 10 years to 5 years. The bill also clarifies that this tax exemption does not apply to wells used for enhanced oil recovery, drilled wells that are not completed, and wells that do not have a record of production on file with the RRC.

Amends Tax Code, Section 202.056 (Exemption for Oil and gas from Wells Previously Inactive)

Calculation of Daily Production for Low Producing Wells/Leases
Senate Bill 925
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

Senate Bill 925 codifies current Comptroller’s office practice of using the greater of either the monthly production reported to the Railroad Commission of Texas or the Comptroller’s office in determining qualifications for a low-producing well or lease.

Amends Tax Code, Sections 201.059(a)(3) (Credits for Qualifying Low-Producing Wells) and 202.058(b) (Credits for Qualifying Low-Producing Oil Leases)

Audit Procedures for Determination of Natural Gas Overpaid Taxes
House Bill 2256
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

House Bill 2256 authorizes the Comptroller’s office to enter into an agreement with a taxpayer to perform a managed audit of a natural gas tax return. The bill permits a computation of an overpayment using a sampling of marketing cost transactions if the Comptroller’s office approves the taxpayer’s sampling method. The bill also provides the Comptroller’s office with rule-making authority to specify additional procedures relating to claiming a credit.

Amends Tax Code, Chapter 201, Subchapter E, by adding Section 201.207 (Determination of Overpaid Amounts)

Amends Tax Code, Chapter 201, Subchapter G, by adding Section 201.3021 (Managed Audits)

Oil-Field Cleanup Regulatory Fees on Oil and Gas
House Bill 2675
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

House Bill 2675 amends Chapter 81 of the Natural Resources Code by repealing the provisions providing for the suspension of the collection of oil-field cleanup regulatory fees when the balance of the fund exceeds a specified amount.

Amends Natural Resources Code, Sections 81.116(d) (Oil-Field Cleanup Regulatory Fee on Oil) and 81.117(d) (Oil-Field Cleanup Regulatory Fee on Gas)

Marketplace Providers
House Bill 1525
Effective Oct. 1, 2019

House Bill 1525 defines “marketplace,” “marketplace provider,” and “marketplace seller.” A marketplace is a physical or electronic medium through which persons other than the owner or operator of the medium make sales of taxable items. The term includes a store, internet website, software application, or catalog.

A marketplace provider is a person who owns or operates a marketplace and processes sales or payments for marketplace sellers.

A marketplace seller is a seller, other than the marketplace provider, who makes a sale of taxable items through a marketplace.

The bill specifies that a marketplace provider is the seller of the items sold on their marketplace platforms. The bill requires a marketplace provider to certify to each individual selling taxable items through the marketplace that the provider assumes the statutory rights and duties of a seller or retailer. A marketplace provider is required to collect, report and remit taxes to the Comptroller’s office on all sales of taxable items made through the marketplace. Local sales and use taxes on taxable items sold through a marketplace are due based on the location where the items are delivered.

Amends Tax Code Sections 151.008 (“Seller” or “Retailer”), 321.203 (Consummation of Sale), and 323.203 (Consummation of Sale)

Adds Tax Code Section 151.0242 (Marketplace Providers and Marketplace Sellers)

Off-Highway Vehicles Purchased Out of State
House Bill 1543
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

House Bill 1543 requires purchasers of off-highway all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and utility vehicles to present to the county tax assessor-collector's office acceptable documentation that shows use tax has been paid to the Comptroller's office when an application for title is presented.

The bill also requires manufacturers licensed under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 2301, to file a report with the Comptroller's office indicating new off-highway vehicles purchased out of state and warrantied in Texas. The first report is due by March 1, 2020.

Adds Tax Code Subchapter 151 I-2 (Reports by Manufacturers of Certain Off-Highway Vehicles Purchased Outside This State)

Adds Transportation Code Section 501.0301 (Certain Off-Highway Vehicles Purchased Outside This State)

Certain Amusement Services
House Bill 1965
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

Tax Code Section 151.3101 exempts the sale of amusement services from sales and use tax if the services are exclusively provided by certain governmental and non-profit entities. House Bill 1965 allows those entities to contract with another organization to provide touring theatrical productions that qualify for the exemption.

A theatrical production is defined as a live staged play, musical play, opera, or ballet.

In order to qualify for the exemption, the entity providing the production must enter into a contract with an eligible organization to provide a least five productions a year for a term of a least five years. The productions must be held at a location either owned by or leased or licensed to the eligible organization for at least one year.

Amends Tax Code Section 151.3101 (Amusement Services Exemptions)

Single Local Use Tax Rate for Remote Sellers
House Bill 2153
Effective Oct. 1, 2019

In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on South Dakota v. Wayfair, remote sellers who were previously not required to collect and remit sales and use tax may have to begin collecting Texas tax on their sales into Texas. Generally, a “remote seller” is a seller who does not have a physical presence in a state, but who sells products or services for delivery into that state.

House Bill 2153

• provides a single local use tax rate for remote sellers
• allows a remote seller to elect to collect this single local use tax rate by notifying the Comptroller’s office, instead of calculating and remitting local tax for numerous local jurisdictions
• provides that for the period of Oct. 1, 2019 – Dec. 31, 2019, the single local use tax rate will be 1.75 percent
• requires the Comptroller’s office to compute the single local use tax rate and publish it in the Texas Register prior to the beginning of each calendar year

Adds Tax Code Section 151.0595 (Single Local Tax Rate for Remote Sellers)

Repeals Tax Code Sections 151.059 (Fee Imposed in Lieu of Local Sales and Use Taxes) and 151.107(c) (Retailer Engaged in Business in This State)

Amends Government Code Section 403.107 (Local Sales and Use Tax Fees)

Sales Tax Absorption
House Bill 2358
Effective Oct. 1, 2019

House Bill 2358 allows that a retailer may directly or indirectly advertise, hold out, or state to a customer or to the public that the retailer will pay the sales or use tax for the customer provided that

• the retailer indicates in the advertisement that the retailer is paying the tax for the customer
• the retailer does not indicate or imply in the advertisement that the sale is exempt or excluded from taxation
• any purchaser's receipt or other statement given to the customer listing the sales price paid or to be paid by the customer separately states the amount of the tax and indicates that the tax will be paid by the retailer.

A retailer that advertises, holds out, or states to a customer or to the public that the retailer will pay the tax

• is presumed to have received or collected the sales and use tax imposed on the sale of a taxable item
• will hold the tax received or collected in trust for the state
• is liable for the amount of tax received or collected

Amends Tax Code Sections 111.016 (Payment to the State of Tax Collections) and 151.704 (Prohibited Advertising; Criminal Penalty)

Items Sold by a Nonprofit at a County Fair
House Bill 2684
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

House Bill 2684 exempts the sale of a taxable item from sales and use tax if the seller is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the sale takes place at a county fair, and the purchaser is a person attending or participating in the fair.

Amends Tax Code Section 151.3102 (Sale by Nonprofit Organization at County Fair)

Production Equipment
House Bill 3086
Effective May 31, 2019

House Bill 3086 clarifies the existing exemption for certain items used in the production of motion picture, video, and audio master recording. Items that are necessary and essential to or that become a component of a master recording are exempt from sales and use tax if a copy of the master recording is sold, offered for ultimate sale, licensed, distributed, broadcast, or otherwise exhibited for consideration.

The bill defines a “master recording” as “the principal media on which images, sound, or a combination of images and sound were first fixed and from which copies were commercially made available.”

Amends Tax Code Section 151.3185 (Property Used in the Production of Motion Pictures or Video or Audio Recordings and Broadcasts)

Certain Amusement Services
House Bill 3386
Effective Oct. 1, 2019

Tax Code Section 151.3101(a)(4) provides an exemption from sales and use tax for certain amusement services. House Bill 3386 provides that amusement services are exclusively provided under that section if provided at a specified multipurpose arena or venue located within or adjacent to a recognized cultural district under Tax Code Chapter 351.1015(a)(5)(B).

Amends Tax Code Section 151.3101 (Amusement Services Exemptions)

Texas Emissions Reduction Plan Fund Surcharge
House Bill 3745
Effective Aug. 30, 2019

The Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) Surcharge is a 1.5 percent surcharge imposed on the retail sale, lease, or rental of specified off-road heavy-duty diesel equipment. House Bill 3745 extends the expiration of the TERP Surcharge from Aug. 31, 2019 to the last day of the fiscal biennium in which the state attains compliance with federal ambient air quality standards for ground-level ozone.

Amends Tax Code Section 151.0515 (Texas Emissions Reduction Plan Surcharge)

Agricultural Aircraft
Senate Bill 1214
Effective Sept. 1, 2019

Senate Bill 1214 removes the 30 mile limitation for travel to and from a location to perform specified agricultural services from the determination of whether an aircraft is exclusively used for agricultural purposes.

Amends Tax Code Section 151.328 (Aircraft)

Sale for Resale
Senate Bill 1525
Effective June 10, 2019

Senate Bill 1525 is a cleanup of legislative changes made in Senate Bill 1, 82nd Legislative Special Session (2011). It clarifies and codifies current Comptroller policies and practices related to the sales and use tax exemption for sale for resale. The bill

• repeals the sales and use tax exemption for amusement and personal services provided through coin-operated machines operated by the consumer and provides that these services are not taxable services
  • toys or prizes purchased for use in coin-operated amusement machines cannot be purchased for resale
  • coin-operated laundry services remain a nontaxable service
• clarifies when a taxable item integral to the performance of a contract with a non-profit organization or with the federal government may be purchased tax free for resale
  • clarifies that the exemption applies the same to governmental entities and nonprofit entities such as churches, with a special exemption for defense contractors
  • ensures repairmen can purchase parts used to repair exempt equipment, such as agricultural equipment, tax free for resale
• clarifies that tangible personal property such as sand, chemicals, and fluids used to perform an oil well service taxable under Tax Code Chapter 191 cannot be purchased for resale
• clarifies the sales and use exemption for the repair, remodel, maintenance, or restoration of tangible personal property, such as x-ray equipment, required by statute or ordinance to protect the environment
  • labor is exempt if the charge for the labor is billed separately from the materials
  • or for a health care facility defined by Health and Safety Code Section 108.002 or an oncology center, sixty five (65) percent of a lump sum charge for labor and materials is exempt.

Amends Tax Code Sections 151.0028 (“Amusement Service”), 151.0045 (“Personal Services”), 151.006 (“Sale for Resale”), and 151.338 (Environment and Conservation Services)

Repeals Tax Code Section 151.335 (Coin-operated Services)

The Taxes webpage has links to:

• All Texas taxes and fees.
• Resources for taxpayers.
• Filing and paying taxes.
• Tax laws and rules.

Our Account Update Tools make it easy for you to:

• Change your address.
• Add a location.
• Close a location.
• Change return/email notifications.

We host free taxpayer seminars across the state about the tax responsibilities of buyers, sellers and service providers.

Our Video Library has online tutorials on tax-related topics as well as information about our office.

The Practitioners’ Corner is a one-stop resource for information about filing and paying taxes, links to tax research sources and searchable databases.

• Tax Due Dates
• Holiday Schedule