TAX CODE
TITLE 3. LOCAL TAXATION
SUBTITLE C. LOCAL SALES AND USE TAXES
CHAPTER 323. COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX ACT
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 323.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as the
County Sales and Use Tax Act.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.002. DEFINITIONS. The words used in this chapter and
defined by Chapters 151 and 321 have the meanings assigned by
Chapters 151 and 321.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.003. OTHER PORTIONS OF TAX APPLICABLE. Subtitles A and
B, Title 2, and Chapters 142 and 151 apply to the taxes and to
the administration and enforcement of the taxes imposed by this
chapter in the same manner that those laws apply to state taxes
unless modified by this chapter.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 14.13, eff.
Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1310, Sec. 117, eff.
Oct. 1, 2003.
SUBCHAPTER B. IMPOSITION OF SALES AND USE TAXES BY COUNTIES
Sec. 323.101. TAX AUTHORIZED. (a) A qualified county may adopt
or repeal the county sales and use tax authorized by this chapter
at an election in which a majority of the qualified voters of the
county approve the adoption or repeal of the tax, as applicable.
(b) A county is qualified to adopt the tax only if no part of
the county is located in a rapid transit authority created under
Chapter 451, Transportation Code, or a regional transportation
authority created under Chapter 452 of that code.
(c) An authority created under Chapter 451 or 452,
Transportation Code, is prohibited from imposing the tax provided
for by those chapters in a county in which the county sales and
use tax provided for by this section is in effect or is scheduled
to take effect. For the purposes of this section, an authority is
not considered to be located in any county in which fewer than
250 persons are both residents of the authority and the county.
(d) A county may not adopt a sales and use tax under this
section if as a result of the adoption of the tax the combined
rate of all sales and use taxes imposed by the county and other
political subdivisions of this state having territory in the
county would exceed two percent at any location in the county.
(e) If the voters of a county approve the adoption of a sales
and use tax at an election held on the same election date on
which a municipality having territory in the county adopts a
sales and use tax or an additional sales and use tax and as a
result the combined rate of all sales and use taxes imposed by
the county and other political subdivisions of this state having
territory in the county would exceed two percent at any location
in the county, the election to adopt a county sales and use tax
has no effect.
(f) The provisions of this chapter govern the application,
collection, and administration of a sales and use tax imposed
under Chapter 285, 775, or 776, Health and Safety Code, to the
extent not inconsistent with the provisions of those chapters.
Provided, however, that Subsection (b) shall not apply to a tax
authorized under those chapters.
(g) Expired.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 54, Sec. 2,
eff. Oct. 20, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., 1st C.S., ch. 40, Sec.
6, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 65, Sec. 2, eff.
May 9, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.272, eff.
Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 323.102. EFFECTIVE DATES: NEW TAX, TAX REPEAL. (a) Except
as provided by Subsection (c), a tax imposed under this chapter
takes effect on the October 1st after the expiration of the first
complete calendar quarter occurring after the date on which the
comptroller receives a notice of the action as required by
Section 323.405(b).
(b) The repeal of a tax abolished under this chapter takes
effect on the October 1st after the expiration of the first
complete calendar quarter occurring after the date on which the
comptroller receives a notice of the action as required by
Section 323.405(b).
(c) A tax imposed under Section 323.105 of this code or Chapter
326 or 383, Local Government Code, takes effect on the first day
of the first calendar quarter after the expiration of the first
complete calendar quarter occurring after the date on which the
comptroller receives a notice of the action as required by
Section 323.405(b).
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 256, Sec. 2, eff.
Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 342, Sec. 1, eff. Aug.
28, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1467, Sec. 2.69, eff. June
19, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
1266, Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2007.
Sec. 323.103. SALES TAX. In a county that has adopted the tax
authorized by this chapter, there is imposed a tax on the
receipts from the sale at retail of taxable items within the
county at the rate of one-half of one percent, or in a county
that includes no territory within the limits of a municipality,
one percent.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.104. USE TAX. In a county that has adopted the tax
authorized by this chapter, there is imposed an excise tax on the
use, storage, or other consumption within the county of taxable
items purchased, leased, or rented from a retailer during the
period that the tax is effective within the county. The rate of
the excise tax is the same as the rate of the sales tax portion
of the tax and is applied to the sales price of the taxable item.
With respect to a taxable service, "use" means the derivation in
the county of direct or indirect benefit from the service.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 705, Sec. 32, eff.
Sept. 1, 1991.
Sec. 323.105. CRIME CONTROL DISTRICT TAX. (a) Subject to an
election held in accordance with the Crime Control and Prevention
District Act, a county in which a crime control and prevention
district is established shall adopt a sales and use tax in the
area of the district for the purpose of financing the operation
of the crime control and prevention district. The revenue from
the tax may be used only for the purpose of financing the
operation of the crime control and prevention district. The
proposition for adopting a tax under this section and the
proposition for creation of a crime control and prevention
district shall be submitted at the same election. For purposes of
Subsection (c) of Section 323.101 of this code, a tax under this
section is not a county sales and use tax.
(b) A tax adopted for a district under this section for
financing the operation of the district may be decreased in
increments of one-eighth of one percent by order of the board of
directors of the district.
(c) The board of directors or the governing body of the
governmental entity that proposed the creation of the crime
control and prevention district may call an election on the
question of decreasing the tax rate in increments of one-eighth
of one percent in the district if the district was created before
January 1, 1996. The board of directors or governing body may
dedicate a portion of the tax for the payment of bonds used in
conjunction with the renovation or extension of a county-owned or
municipally owned convention center facility, as defined in
Section 351.001, that was constructed before 1969 if the
dedication is approved by a majority of the qualified voters in
an election held in the district on the question of decreasing
the tax rate. At the election, the ballot shall be printed to
provide for voting for or against the following proposition: "The
decrease of the _______ Crime Control and Prevention District
sales and use tax to _____ percent and authorizing the use of
______ of one percent for the payment of bonds issued for the
renovation or extension of certain county-owned or municipally
owned convention center facilities as that term is defined under
Section 351.001, Tax Code, and authorizing that the tax expire on
payment of the bonds."
(d) The rate of a tax adopted for a district under this section
may be increased in increments of one-eighth of one percent, not
to exceed a total tax rate of one-half percent for financing the
operation of the crime control and prevention district, by order
of the board of directors of the crime control and prevention
district if approved by a majority of the qualified voters voting
at an election called by the board and held in the district on
the question of increasing the tax rate. At the election, the
ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the
following proposition: "The increase of the ____________ Crime
Control and Prevention District sales and use tax rate to
____________ percent." If there is an increase or decrease under
this subsection in the rate of a tax imposed under this section,
the new rate takes effect on the first day of the next calendar
quarter after the expiration of one calendar quarter after the
comptroller receives notice of the increase or decrease. However,
if the comptroller notifies the president of the board of
directors of the district in writing within 10 days after receipt
of the notification that the comptroller requires more time to
implement reporting and collection procedures, the comptroller
may delay implementation of the rate change for one whole
calendar quarter. In that event, the new rate takes effect on the
first day of the next calendar quarter following the elapsed
quarter.
(e) The comptroller shall remit to the county amounts collected
at the rate imposed under this section as part of the regular
allocation of county tax revenue collected by the comptroller if
the district is composed of the entire county. The comptroller
shall, if the district is composed of an area less than the
entire county, remit that amount to the district. Retailers may
not be required to use the allocation and reporting procedures in
the collection of taxes under this section different from the
procedures that retailers use in the collection of other sales
and use taxes under this chapter. An item, transaction, or
service that is taxable in a county under a sales or use tax
authorized by another section of this chapter is taxable under
this section. An item, transaction, or service that is not
taxable in a county under a sales or use tax authorized by
another section of this chapter is not taxable under this
section.
(f) If, in a county where a crime control and prevention
district is composed of the whole county, a county sales and use
tax or a county sales and use tax rate increase for the purpose
of financing a crime control and prevention district is approved,
the county is responsible for distributing to the district that
portion of the county sales and use tax revenue received from the
comptroller that is to be used for the purposes of financing the
crime control and prevention district. Not later than the 10th
day after the date the county receives funds under this section
from the comptroller, the county shall make the distribution in
the proportion that the crime control and prevention portion of
the tax rate bears to the total sales and use tax rate of the
county. The amounts distributed to a crime control and prevention
district are not considered to be sales and use tax revenue for
the purpose of property tax reduction and computation of the
county tax rate under Section 26.041, Tax Code.
(g) For purposes of the tax imposed under this section, a
reference in this chapter to the county as the territory in which
the tax or an incident of the tax applies means only the
territory located in the crime control and prevention district,
if that district is composed of an area less than an entire
county.
(h) The comptroller may adopt rules and the county commissioners
court may adopt orders to administer this section.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 664, Sec. 2, eff. June 14,
1989. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 15, eff.
June 18, 1993; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1248, Sec. 6, eff. June
20, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1467, Sec. 2.70, eff. Oct. 1,
1999.
SUBCHAPTER C. COMPUTATION OF TAXES
Sec. 323.201. COMPUTATION OF SALES TAXES. (a) Each retailer in
a county that has adopted the tax authorized by this chapter
shall add the sales tax imposed by this chapter and by Chapter
151, plus any other applicable sales tax, to the sales price, and
the sum of the taxes is a part of the price, a debt of the
purchaser to the retailer until paid, and recoverable at law in
the same manner as the purchase price.
(b) The amount of the total tax is computed by multiplying the
combined applicable tax rates by the amount of the sales price.
If the product results in a fraction of a cent less than one-half
of one cent, the fraction of a cent is not collected. If the
fraction of a cent is one-half of one cent or more, the fraction
shall be collected as one cent.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.202. METHOD OF REPORTING: RETAILERS HAVING SALES BELOW
TAXABLE AMOUNT. The exclusion provided by Section 151.411
applies to a retailer under this chapter 50 percent of whose
receipts from the sales of taxable items comes from individual
transactions in which the sales price is an amount on which no
tax is produced from the combined state and local taxes.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
For expiration of Subsections (c-2) and (c-3), see Subsection
(c-3).
Sec. 323.203. CONSUMMATION OF SALE. (a) A sale of a taxable
item occurs within the county in which the sale is consummated. A
sale is consummated as provided by this section regardless of the
place where transfer of title or possession occurs.
(b) If a retailer has only one place of business in this state,
all of the retailer's retail sales of taxable items are
consummated at that place of business except as provided by
Subsection (e).
(c) If a retailer has more than one place of business in this
state, each sale of each taxable item by the retailer is
consummated at the place of business of the retailer in this
state where the retailer first receives the order, provided that
the order is placed in person by the purchaser or lessee of the
taxable item at the place of business of the retailer in this
state where the retailer first receives the order.
(c-1) If the retailer has more than one place of business in
this state and Subsection (c) does not apply, the sale is
consummated at the place of business of the retailer in this
state:
(1) from which the retailer ships or delivers the item, if the
retailer ships or delivers the item to a point designated by the
purchaser or lessee; or
(2) where the purchaser or lessee takes possession of and
removes the item, if the purchaser or lessee takes possession of
and removes the item from a place of business of the retailer.
Text of subsection effective until September 01, 2014
(c-2) Subsection (c) does not apply if:
(1) the taxable item is shipped or delivered from a warehouse:
(A) that is a place of business of the retailer;
(B) in relation to which the retailer has an economic
development agreement with:
(i) the county in which the warehouse is located that was
entered into under Chapter 381, Local Government Code, before
January 1, 2009; or
(ii) the municipality in which the warehouse is located that was
entered into under Chapter 380, 504, or 505, Local Government
Code, or a predecessor statute, before January 1, 2009; and
(C) in relation to which the county provides information
relating to the economic development agreement as required by
Subsection (c-3) by the deadline prescribed by that subsection,
or, if appropriate, the municipality complies with Section
321.203(c-3) by the deadline prescribed by that section; and
(2) the place of business of the retailer at which the retailer
first receives the order in the manner described by Subsection
(c) is a retail outlet identified in the information required by
Subsection (c-3) or Section 321.203(c-3) as being served by the
warehouse on January 1, 2009.
(c-3) Not later than September 1, 2009, a county that has
entered into an economic development agreement described by
Subsection (c-2) shall send to the comptroller information
prescribed by the comptroller relating to the agreement that
identifies each warehouse subject to the agreement and each
retail outlet that, on January 1, 2009, was served by that
warehouse. The comptroller shall prescribe the manner in which
the information must be provided. The provision of information
to the comptroller under this subsection does not affect whether
information described by this subsection is confidential or
excepted from required public disclosure. This subsection and
Subsection (c-2) expire September 1, 2014.
(d) If the retailer has more than one place of business in this
state and Subsections (c) and (c-1) do not apply, the sale is
consummated at:
(1) the place of business of the retailer in this state where
the order is received; or
(2) if the order is not received at a place of business of the
retailer, the place of business from which the retailer's agent
or employee who took the order operates.
(e) A sale of a taxable item is consummated at the location in
this state to which the item is shipped or delivered or at which
possession is taken by the customer if transfer of possession of
the item occurs at, or shipment or delivery of the item
originates from, a location in this state other than a place of
business of the retailer and if:
(1) the retailer is an itinerant vendor who has no place of
business in this state;
(2) the retailer's place of business where the purchase order is
initially received or from which the retailer's agent or employee
who took the order operates is outside this state; or
(3) the purchaser places the order directly with the retailer's
supplier and the item is shipped or delivered directly to the
purchaser by the supplier.
(f) The sale of natural gas and electricity is consummated at
the point of delivery to the consumer.
(g) The sale of mobile telecommunications services is
consummated in accordance with Section 151.061.
(g-1) The sale of telecommunications services sold based on a
price that is measured by individual calls is consummated at the
location where the call originates and terminates or the location
where the call either originates or terminates and at which the
service address is also located.
(g-2) Except as provided by Subsection (g-3), the sale of
telecommunications services sold on a basis other than on a
call-by-call basis is consummated at the location of the
customer's place of primary use.
(g-3) A sale of post-paid calling services is consummated at the
location of the origination point of the telecommunications
signal as first identified by the seller's telecommunications
system or by information received by the seller from the seller's
service provider if the system used to transport the signal is
not that of the seller.
(h) The sale of an amusement service is consummated in the
county in which the performance or other delivery of the service
takes place.
(i) If a purchaser who has given a resale certificate makes any
use of a taxable item that subjects the taxable item to the sales
tax under the provisions of Section 151.154, the use or other
consumption of the taxable item that subjected the taxable item
to the tax is consummated at the place where the taxable item is
stored or kept at the time of or just before the use or
consumption.
(j) The sale of services delivered through a cable system is
consummated at the point of delivery to the consumer.
(k) The sale of garbage or other solid waste collection or
removal service is consummated at the location at which the
garbage or other solid waste is located when its collection or
removal begins.
(l) Repealed by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1266, Sec.
15(5), eff. September 1, 2007.
(m) A sale of a service described by Section 151.0047 to
remodel, repair, or restore nonresidential real property is
consummated at the location of the job site.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 14.22(b), eff.
Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 810, Sec. 2, eff. Oct.
1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 705, Sec. 33, eff. Sept. 1,
1991; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 370, Sec. 3, eff. Aug. 1, 2002;
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 209, Sec. 58, eff. Oct. 1, 2003; Acts
2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1310, Sec. 118, eff. July 1, 2004.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
1266, Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
1266, Sec. 15(5), eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1360, Sec. 8, eff. June 19, 2009.
Sec. 323.204. COMPUTATION OF USE TAX. In each county that has
adopted the taxes authorized by this chapter, the tax imposed by
Section 323.104, by other applicable local taxes, and by
Subchapter D, Chapter 151, are added together to form a single
combined tax rate, except only the rate of the county tax is used
in a situation described by Section 323.205(b).
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.205. USE TAX: COUNTY IN WHICH USE OCCURS. (a) In
determining the incidence of the use tax authorized by this
chapter, the name of the county adopting the tax is substituted
in Subchapter D, Chapter 151, for "this state" where those words
are used to designate the taxing entity or delimit the tax
imposed. However, the excise tax authorized by this chapter on
the use, storage, or consumption of a taxable item does not apply
if the taxable item is first used, stored, or consumed in a
county that has not adopted the taxes authorized by this chapter.
(b) If a sale of a taxable item is consummated in this state but
not within a county that has adopted the taxes authorized by this
chapter and the taxable item is shipped directly, or brought by
the purchaser or lessee directly, into a county that has adopted
the taxes authorized by this chapter, the taxable item is subject
to the county's use tax. The use is considered to be consummated
at the location where the item is first stored, used, or consumed
after the intrastate transit has ceased.
(c) If a taxable item is shipped from outside this state to a
customer within this state and the use of the taxable item is
consummated within a county that has adopted the tax authorized
by this chapter, the taxable item is subject to a county's use
tax and not its sales tax. A use is considered to be consummated
at the first point in this state where the taxable item is
stored, used, or consumed after the interstate transit has
ceased. A taxable item delivered to a point in this state is
presumed to be for storage, use, or consumption at that point
until the contrary is established.
(d) The holder of a direct payment permit issued under Chapter
151 who becomes liable for the use tax under this chapter by
reason of the storage, use, or consumption of a taxable item
purchased in this state under a direct payment exemption
certificate shall allocate the tax to the county in which the
item was first removed from the permit holder's storage, or if
not stored, the place at which the item was first used or
consumed by the permit holder after transportation. In this
subsection an item is not considered to have been stored, used,
or consumed because of a temporary delay or interruption
necessary and incidental to its transportation or further
fabrication, processing, or assembling within this state for
delivery to the permit holder. A charge for fabrication,
processing, or further assembly in a county that has adopted the
tax under this chapter shall be subject to the county use tax.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 705, Sec. 34, eff.
Sept. 1, 1991.
Sec. 323.206. COUNTY TAX INAPPLICABLE WHEN NO STATE TAX;
EXCEPTIONS. (a) The sales tax authorized by this chapter does
not apply to the sale of a taxable item unless the sales tax
imposed by Subchapter C, Chapter 151, also applies to the sale.
(b) The excise tax authorized by this chapter on the use,
storage, or consumption of a taxable item does not apply to the
use, storage, or consumption of an item unless the tax imposed by
Subchapter D, Chapter 151, also applies to the use, storage, or
consumption.
(c) Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to the taxes authorized
by this chapter on the sale, production, distribution, lease, or
rental of, and the use, storage, or consumption of gas and
electricity for residential use.
(d) Subsection (b) does not apply to the application of the tax
in a situation described by Section 323.205(b).
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 705, Sec. 35, eff.
Sept. 1, 1991.
Sec. 323.207. STATE EXEMPTIONS APPLICABLE. The exemptions
provided by Subchapter H, Chapter 151, apply to the taxes
authorized by this chapter, except as provided by Section
151.317(b).
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.208. TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXEMPTION. (a) There are
exempted from the taxes imposed under this chapter the sale
within the county of telecommunications services unless the
application of the exemption is repealed under this section. A
county may not repeal the application of this exemption as it
applies to interstate long-distance telecommunications services,
but if a county has repealed the exemption before the effective
date of Part 4, Article 1, H.B. No. 61, Acts of the 70th
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, 1987, interstate long-distance
telecommunications services in that county are not subject to
taxes imposed under this chapter.
(b) The commissioners court of a county by a majority vote may
repeal the application of the exemption provided by Subsection
(a) for telecommunications services sold within the county.
(c) A county that has repealed the application of the exemption
may in the same manner reinstate the exemption.
(d) A vote of the commissioners court repealing the application
of or reinstating the exemption must be entered in the minutes of
the court. The county judge shall send to the comptroller by
United States certified or registered mail a copy of each order
adopted under this section. The repeal of the application of the
exemption or a reinstated exemption takes effect within the
county on the first day of the first calendar quarter after the
expiration of the first complete calendar quarter after the date
on which the comptroller receives notification of the order.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 5, art. 1,
pt. 4, Sec. 35.
Sec. 323.209. TRANSITION EXEMPTION. (a) The receipts from the
sale, use, or rental of and the storage, use, or consumption of
taxable items in this state are exempt from the tax imposed by a
county under this chapter if the items are used:
(1) for the performance of a written contract entered into
before the date the tax takes effect in the county, if the
contract is not subject to change or modification by reason of
the tax; or
(2) pursuant to an obligation of a bid or bids submitted before
the date the tax takes effect in the county, if the bid or bids
may not be withdrawn, modified, or changed by reason of the tax.
(b) The exemptions provided by this section have no effect after
three years from the date the tax takes effect in the county.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 14.17(a), eff. Aug.
28, 1989.
SUBCHAPTER D. ADMINISTRATION OF TAXES
Sec. 323.301. COMPTROLLER TO COLLECT AND ADMINISTER TAXES. The
comptroller shall administer, collect, and enforce any tax
imposed by a county under this chapter. The tax imposed under
this chapter and the tax imposed under Chapter 151 shall be
collected together, if both taxes are imposed.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.302. COMPTROLLER'S REPORTING DUTIES. (a) The
comptroller shall make quarterly reports to a county that has
adopted the taxes authorized by this chapter if the county
requests the reports. A report must include the name, address,
and account number of each person in the county that has remitted
to the comptroller a tax payment during the quarter covered by
the report.
(b) If a county requests an additional report, the comptroller
shall make an additional quarterly report to the county including
the name, address, and account number, if any, of, and the amount
of tax due from, each person doing business in the county who has
failed to pay the tax under this chapter to the county or under
Chapter 151. The additional report must also include statements:
(1) showing whether or not there has been a partial tax payment
by the delinquent taxpayer;
(2) showing whether or not the taxpayer is delinquent in the
payment of sales and use taxes to the state; and
(3) describing the steps taken by the comptroller to collect the
delinquent taxes.
(c) If a county determines that a person doing business in the
county is not included in a comptroller's report, the county
shall report to the comptroller the name and address of the
person. Within 90 days after receiving the report from a county,
the comptroller shall send to the county:
(1) an explanation as to why the person is not obligated for the
county tax;
(2) a statement that the person is obligated for the county tax
and the tax is delinquent; or
(3) a certification that the person is obligated for the county
tax and that the full amount of the tax due has been credited to
the county's account.
(d) The comptroller shall send by United States certified or
registered mail to the county attorney a notice of each person
who is delinquent in the payment to the county of the taxes
authorized by this chapter and shall send a copy of the notice to
the attorney general. A notice sent under this subsection is a
certification of the amount of tax owed and is prima facie
evidence of a determination of that amount and of its
delinquency.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.3022. TAX INFORMATION. (a) In this section, "other
local governmental entity" includes any governmental entity
created by the legislature that has a limited purpose or
function, that has a defined or restricted geographic territory,
and that is authorized by law to impose a local sales and use tax
the imposition, computation, administration, enforcement, and
collection of which is governed by this chapter.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the
comptroller on request shall provide to a county or other local
governmental entity that has adopted a tax under this chapter:
(1) information relating to the amount of tax paid to the county
or other local governmental entity under this chapter during the
preceding or current calendar year by each person doing business
in the county or other local governmental entity who annually
remits to the comptroller state and local sales tax payments of
more than $25,000; and
(2) any other information as provided by this section.
(c) The comptroller on request shall provide to a county or
other local governmental entity that has adopted a tax under this
chapter information relating to the amount of tax paid to the
county or other local governmental entity under this chapter
during the preceding or current calendar year by each person
doing business in an area, as defined by the county or other
local governmental entity, that is part of:
(1) an interlocal agreement;
(2) a tax abatement agreement;
(3) a reinvestment zone;
(4) a tax increment financing district;
(5) a revenue sharing agreement;
(6) an enterprise zone;
(7) any other agreement, zone, or district similar to those
listed in Subdivisions (1)-(6); or
(8) any area defined by the county or other local governmental
entity for the purpose of economic forecasting.
(d) The comptroller shall provide the information under
Subsection (c) as an aggregate total for all persons doing
business in the defined area without disclosing individual tax
payments.
(e) If the request for information under Subsection (c) involves
not more than three persons doing business in the defined area
who remit taxes under this chapter, the comptroller shall refuse
to provide the information to the county or other local
governmental entity unless the comptroller receives permission
from each of the persons allowing the comptroller to provide the
information to the county or other local governmental entity as
requested.
(f) A separate request for information under this section must
be made in writing each year by the county judge or the governing
body of the other local governmental entity.
(g) Information received by a county or other local governmental
entity under this section is confidential, is not open to public
inspection, and may be used only for the purpose of economic
forecasting, for internal auditing of a tax paid to the county or
other local governmental entity under this chapter, or for the
purpose described by Subsection (h).
(h) Information received by a county or other local governmental
entity under Subsection (c) may be used by the county or other
local governmental entity to assist in determining revenue
sharing under a revenue sharing agreement or other similar
agreement.
(i) The comptroller may set and collect from a county or other
local governmental entity reasonable fees to cover the expense of
compiling and providing information under this section.
(j) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, the
commissioners court of a county or the governing body of the
other local governmental entity is not required to confer with
one or more employees or a third party in an open meeting to
receive information or question the employees or third party
regarding the information received by the county or other local
governmental entity under this section.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1360, Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 323.303. SALES TAX PERMITS AND EXEMPTION AND RESALE
CERTIFICATES. (a) Each place of business of a retailer must
have a permit issued by the comptroller under Subchapter F,
Chapter 151.
(b) The same sales tax permit, exemption certificate, and resale
certificate required by Chapter 151 for the administration and
collection of the taxes imposed by that chapter satisfy the
requirements of this chapter. No additional permit or exemption
or resale certificate may be required.
(c) The comptroller may prescribe the form of an exemption
certificate for a prior contract exemption under this chapter.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.304. DISCOUNTS FOR PREPAYMENT AND TAX COLLECTION. All
discounts allowed a retailer under Chapter 151 for the collection
and prepayment of the taxes under that chapter are allowed and
applicable to the taxes collected under this chapter.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.305. PENALTIES. The penalties provided by Chapter 151
for violations of that chapter apply to violations of this
chapter.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.306. COMPTROLLER'S RULES. The comptroller may adopt
reasonable rules and prescribe forms that are consistent with
this chapter for the administration, collection, reporting, and
enforcement of this chapter.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.307. DELINQUENT TAXES: LIMITATIONS. The limitations
for the bringing of a suit for the collection of a tax imposed or
a penalty due under this chapter after the tax and penalty are
delinquent or after a determination against the taxpayer are the
same as limitations provided by Chapter 151.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.308. SEIZURE AND SALE OF PROPERTY. If the comptroller
lawfully seizes property for the payment of the taxes imposed
under Chapter 151 and the property owner is delinquent in the
payment of taxes under this chapter, the comptroller shall sell
sufficient property to pay the delinquent taxes and penalties of
both taxes. The proceeds of a sale of seized property shall first
be applied to the payment of amounts due the state, any remainder
to the amounts due to a municipality to which the taxes are due
under Chapter 321, and any remainder to the amounts due to a
county to which taxes are due.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.309. SUIT FOR TAX COLLECTION. (a) A county acting
through its attorney may join as a plaintiff in any suit brought
by the attorney general to seek a judgment for delinquent taxes
and penalties due to the county under this chapter.
(b) A county may bring suit for the collection of taxes owed to
the county under this chapter if:
(1) the taxes are certified by the comptroller in the notice
required by Section 323.302(d);
(2) a written notice of the tax delinquency and the county's
intention to bring suit is given by certified mail to the
taxpayer, the attorney general, and the comptroller at least 60
days before the suit is filed; and
(3) neither the comptroller nor the attorney general disapproves
of the suit.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.310. DISAPPROVAL OF COUNTY SUIT. (a) The comptroller
or the attorney general may disapprove of the institution of a
suit by a county under Section 323.309(b) if:
(1) negotiations between the state and the taxpayer are being
conducted for the purpose of the collection of delinquent taxes
owed to the state and the county seeking to bring suit;
(2) the taxpayer owes substantial taxes to the state and there
is a reasonable possibility that the taxpayer may be unable to
pay the total amount owed;
(3) the state will bring suit against the taxpayer for all taxes
due under Chapter 151 and this chapter; or
(4) the suit involves a critical legal question relating to the
interpretation of state law or a provision of the Texas or United
States constitution in which the state has an overriding
interest.
(b) A notice of disapproval to a county must be in writing and
give the reason for the determination by the comptroller or
attorney general.
(c) A disapproval is final and not subject to review.
(d) Not earlier than one year after the date of a disapproval of
the institution of a county collection suit, the county may again
proceed as provided by Section 323.309(b) even though the
liability of the taxpayer includes taxes for which the county has
previously given notice and the comptroller or attorney general
has disapproved of the suit.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.311. JUDGMENTS IN COUNTY SUIT. (a) A judgment in a
suit under Section 323.309(b) for or against a taxpayer does not
affect a claim against the taxpayer by another county, a
municipality, or the state unless the state is party to the suit.
(b) A county shall abstract a copy of each final judgment for
taxes imposed under this chapter in a case in which the state is
not a party and shall send to the comptroller a copy of the
judgment and the abstract.
(c) A county shall by execution collect the taxes awarded to it
in each judgment received by the county and is responsible for
the renewal of the judgment before its expiration.
(d) The county shall send to the comptroller for deposit in the
county's suspense account the amount of any taxes collected on
the judgment.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.312. RETENTION OF CERTAIN COUNTY SALES TAXES. A county
that holds a sales and use tax permit issued by the comptroller
and that imposes a sales and use tax may retain the portion of
the tax that the county collects and that constitutes the
county's own tax. The county shall remit to the comptroller all
other applicable local sales and use taxes and the state sales
and use tax.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1263, Sec. 77, eff. Oct. 1,
2001.
SUBCHAPTER E. TAX ELECTION PROCEDURES
Sec. 323.401. CALLING OF ELECTION. (a) An election under this
chapter is called by the adoption of an order by the
commissioners court of a county.
(b) The commissioners court may call the election by a vote of a
majority of its members.
(c) The commissioners court shall call the election if a number
of qualified voters of the county equal to at least five percent
of the number of registered voters in the county petitions for a
vote on the question.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.402. DEADLINES AFTER PETITION. (a) After the receipt
of a petition for an election under this chapter, the
commissioners court shall determine the sufficiency of the
petition within 30 days.
(b) If the petition is sufficient, the commissioners court shall
pass the ordinance calling the election within 60 days after
receiving the petition.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.403. TIME OF ELECTION. An election under this chapter
must be held on the next uniform election day not less than 30
days after the day on which the order calling the election was
passed.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.404. BALLOT WORDING. (a) Except as provided by
Subsection (b), in an election to adopt the tax, the ballot shall
be printed to provide for voting for or against the proposition:
"Adoption of a one-half percent county sales and use tax within
the county to be used to reduce the county property tax rate."
(b) In an election in a county that includes no territory within
the limits of a municipality, the ballot shall be printed to
provide for voting for or against the proposition: "Adoption of a
one percent county sales and use tax within the county to be used
to reduce the county property tax rate."
(c) In an election to repeal the tax, the ballot shall be
printed to provide for voting for or against the proposition:
"Abolition of the county sales and use tax within the county."
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.405. OFFICIAL RESULTS OF ELECTION. (a) Within 10 days
after an election in which the voters of a county approve of the
adoption or abolition of the tax authorized by this chapter, the
commissioners court of the county shall, by resolution entered in
its minutes of proceedings, declare the results of the election.
A resolution or ordinance under this section must include
statements showing:
(1) the date of the election;
(2) the proposition on which the vote was held;
(3) the total number of votes cast for and against the
proposition; and
(4) the number of votes by which the proposition was approved.
(b) If the application of the taxes that may be imposed under
this chapter is changed by the results of the election, the
county judge shall send to the comptroller by United States
certified or registered mail a certified copy of the resolution.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.406. FREQUENCY OF ELECTION. An election under this
chapter in a county may not be held earlier than one year after
the date of any previous election under this chapter in the
county.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.407. ELECTION CONTEST: NOTICE. (a) If an election
held under this chapter is contested, the contestant shall send
to the comptroller by United States certified or registered mail
within 10 days after the filing of the contest a notice of
contest containing the style of the suit, the date it was filed,
its case number, and the name of the court in which the contest
is pending.
(b) A court may not hear an election contest of an election held
under this chapter unless the comptroller is notified within the
time and in the manner provided by this section.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.408. ELECTION CONTEST: DELAYED EFFECTIVE DATE. (a)
When the comptroller receives a notice of contest of an election
under this chapter, the effective date of the tax or the
abolition of a tax is suspended.
(b) When a final judgment is entered in the election contest,
the county judge shall notify the comptroller by United States
certified or registered mail and enclose a certified copy of the
final judgment.
(c) If the final judgment in the election contest results in a
change in the tax status of the county under this chapter, the
tax or the abolition of the tax takes effect as provided by
Section 323.102 except that the notice of the final judgment is
substituted for the notice of election results prescribed by
Section 323.405.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
SUBCHAPTER F. REVENUE DEPOSIT, DISTRIBUTION, AND USE
Sec. 323.501. TRUST ACCOUNT. (a) The comptroller shall deposit
the taxes collected by the comptroller under this chapter in
trust in the separate suspense account of the county from which
the taxes were collected.
(b) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 285, Sec. 31(45).
(c) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 285, Sec. 31(45).
(d) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 285, Sec. 31(45).
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 19.126,
eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 285, Sec. 31(45),
eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Sec. 323.502. DISTRIBUTION OF TRUST FUNDS. At least twice
during each state fiscal year and at other times as often as
feasible, the comptroller shall send to the county treasurer
payable to the county the county's share of the taxes collected
by the comptroller under this chapter.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.503. STATE'S SHARE. Before sending any money to a
county under this subchapter the comptroller shall deduct two
percent of the amount of the taxes collected within the county
during the period for which a distribution is made as the state's
charge for its services under this chapter and shall, subject to
premiums payments under Section 323.501(c), credit the money
deducted to the general revenue fund.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.504. AMOUNTS RETAINED IN TRUST ACCOUNT. (a) The
comptroller may retain in the suspense account of a county a
portion of the county's share of the tax collected for the county
under this chapter, not to exceed five percent of the amount
remitted to the county. If the county has abolished the tax, the
amount that may be retained may not exceed five percent of the
final remittance to the county at the time of the termination of
the collection of the tax.
(b) From the amounts retained in a county's suspense account,
the comptroller may make refunds for overpayments to the account
and to redeem dishonored checks and drafts deposited to the
credit of the account.
(c) Before the expiration of one year after the effective date
of the abolition of a county's tax under this chapter the
comptroller shall send to the county the remainder of the money
in the county's account and shall close the account.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
Sec. 323.5041. INTEREST ON TAX REVENUE. Interest earned on all
deposits made with the comptroller under this chapter, including
interest earned from the suspense accounts retained under Section
323.504, shall be credited to the general revenue fund.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 14.18(a), eff. Aug.
28, 1989. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 19.127,
eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 323.505. USE OF TAX REVENUE. (a) The money received by a
county under this chapter is for the use and benefit of the
county and shall be used for the replacement of property tax
revenue lost as a result of the adoption of the taxes authorized
by this chapter. Except as provided by Subsection (b), the
revenue in excess of the revenue used to replace those property
taxes shall be used for the reduction of indebtedness of the
county. After all indebtedness is paid, the excess may be used
for any purpose for which county general revenue may be used. A
county may not pledge anticipated revenue from this source to
secure the payment of bonds or other indebtedness for a period
longer than one year.
(b) Revenue collected from the tax imposed under this chapter in
each of the first three years in which the tax is imposed in the
county in excess of the amount determined as provided by Section
26.041(d) for each year shall be deposited in an account to be
called the excess sales tax revenue fund. During those three
years, revenue deposited in the excess sales tax revenue fund may
be used only if and to the extent that taxes or other revenues of
the county are collected in amounts less than anticipated. After
that period, the revenue in the fund may be used for any purpose
for which county general revenue may be used. The fund ceases to
exist when all revenue deposited in the fund has been spent.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1987. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 14.18(b), eff.
Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 17.07, eff.
Aug. 26, 1991.