NOTE: The information presented here is subject to change. The specific details of these acts continue to be worked out and have changed several times already. Please do not rely solely on this information when taking action on them.
The Texas State Comptroller has acted on the behalf of Texas taxpayers for both Sales Tax and Franchise Tax.
FRANCHISE TAX Notice from the Comptroller Website 4/3/2020
Franchise Tax Extended Due Date
The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting life for people and businesses nationwide. To provide Texas franchise taxpayers some relief, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is automatically extending the due date for 2020 Texas franchise tax reports to July 15, 2020 to be consistent with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The due date extension applies to all franchise taxpayers. The extension is automatic, and franchise taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms.
Non-EFT Franchise Taxpayers
Non-electronic funds transfer (non-EFT) franchise taxpayers that cannot file by July 15 may file an extension request on or before July 15 and must pay 90 percent of the tax due for the current year, or 100 percent of the tax reported as due for the prior year with the extension request. Non-EFT franchise taxpayers who request an extension have until Jan. 15 to file their report and pay the remainder of the tax due.
If the extension request does not meet the payment requirements when the report is filed, penalty and interest will apply to any part of the 90 percent of the tax not paid by July 15 and to any part of the 10 percent of the tax not paid by Jan. 15, 2021.
EFT Franchise Taxpayers
On or before July 15, franchise taxpayers that are mandatory EFT payers may request an extension of time to file to Aug. 15 and must pay 90 percent of the tax due for the current year or 100 percent of the tax reported as due for the prior year with the extension request. On or before Aug. 15, EFT franchise taxpayers may request a second extension of time to file their report and must pay the remainder of any tax due with their extension request. The Aug. 15 extension request extends the report due date to Jan 15.
SALES TAX Notice From the Comptrollers Website 3/24/2020
These are challenging times for businesses all over the nation. The Texas Comptroller’s office knows that during periods of economic hardship, paying or remitting taxes and fees on time can feel like an extra burden when there’s so much uncertainty. We’re thankful to those businesses that were able to remit state and local sales taxes they collected from customers in February on the March 20, 2020, due date.
We understand that virtually all of our taxpayers are doing their best to remain in compliance and be responsible in submitting the taxes they collected from their customers. With that in mind, our agency is here to offer assistance to those businesses that are struggling to pay the full amount of sales taxes they collected in February.
For businesses that find themselves in this situation, our agency is offering assistance in the form of short-term payment agreements and, in most instances, waivers of penalties and interest.
We ask that you contact our Enforcement Hotline at 800-252-8880 to learn about your options for remaining in compliance and avoiding interest and late fees on taxes due.
We strongly encourage you to use our online tools, tutorials and other resources for tax services, and establish 24/7 account access on Webfile.
We’re standing by to help Texas businesses during these difficult times.