Sec. 151.4292. TAX REFUND PILOT PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN PERSONS WHO EMPLOY APPRENTICES. (a) In this section:
(1) "Executive director" means the executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission.
(2) "Qualified apprenticeship" means an apprenticeship program that is:
(A) certified as an industry-recognized apprenticeship program by an entity determined to meet United States Department of Labor criteria; or
(B) registered with the United States Department of Labor and qualified to receive funding provided through the Texas Workforce Commission under Chapter 133, Education Code.
(b) A person is eligible for a refund in the amount and under the conditions provided by this section of the taxes paid under this chapter during a calendar year if the person is certified by the executive director under Subsection (f) and employs at least one apprentice in a qualified apprenticeship position for at least seven months during the calendar year. A person is not considered to be employed in a qualified apprenticeship position for purposes of this section:
(1) after the earlier of:
(A) the fourth anniversary of employment in the position; or
(B) the conclusion of the term of the apprenticeship position; or
(2) if the person was employed in another position by the employer immediately before beginning employment in the apprenticeship position.
(c) Subject to Subsections (d) and (e), the amount of the refund for a calendar year in connection with each apprentice described by Subsection (b) is $2,500.
(d) The total amount of the refund for a calendar year is equal to the lesser of:
(1) the amount allowed under Subsection (c) for the calendar year for each apprentice described by Subsection (b), not to exceed the maximum number of apprentices provided by Subsection (e); or
(2) the amount of sales and use taxes paid by the person during the calendar year.
(e) The maximum number of apprentices in connection with whom a person may receive a refund in a calendar year is:
(1) one; or
(2) not more than six if at least half of the apprentices employed are:
(A) foster children who have transitioned or are transitioning to independent living, as described in Section 264.121, Family Code;
(B) military veterans, as defined by Section 55.001, Occupations Code;
(C) military spouses, as defined by Section 55.001, Occupations Code; or
(D) women.
(f) A person may not apply for a refund under this section unless the executive director certifies that the person is able to employ apprentices in qualified apprenticeships. A person must apply to the executive director to obtain certification. The executive director shall create an application form for the certification.
(g) The executive director may certify not more than 100 persons under Subsection (f) at any time. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the limit provided by this subsection, the executive director shall select applicants for certification according to rules adopted under Subsection (h).
(h) The executive director shall adopt rules that establish merit-based criteria for selecting persons to certify from among those who apply. The rules must require that the executive director give preference to applicants who:
(1) offer qualified apprenticeships in areas of this state that are not designated as metropolitan statistical areas by the United States Office of Management and Budget; and
(2) provide training and skills development in emerging or developing occupational fields.
(i) The executive director shall issue a certificate to each person certified under Subsection (f). The certificate must confirm that the person is eligible to apply for a refund under this section.
(j) A person must apply to the comptroller for a refund under this section. The person must include with the application the certificate issued to the person under Subsection (i) and any other information the comptroller requires.
(k) Not later than September 1, 2024, the executive director shall prepare and deliver to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding officer of each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over taxation a report that evaluates the effect of the pilot program on the employment outcomes and earnings of apprentices with respect to whom refunds are granted under the pilot program under this section. The report must include a recommendation regarding whether the pilot program should be continued, expanded, or terminated.
(l) A person who applies for a refund under this section shall provide to the executive director information the executive director requests to prepare the report described by Subsection (k).
(m) This section expires December 31, 2026.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 401 (S.B. 1524), Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2022.
Structure Texas Statutes
Subtitle E - Sales, Excise, and Use Taxes
Chapter 151 - Limited Sales, Excise, and Use Tax
Subchapter I. Reports, Payments, and Methods of Reporting
Section 151.401. Tax Due Dates
Section 151.402. Tax Report Dates
Section 151.403. Who Must File a Report
Section 151.405. Other Due Dates Set by Comptroller
Section 151.406. Contents and Form of Report
Section 151.407. Special Use Tax Reports
Section 151.408. Accounting Basis for Reports
Section 151.409. Reports and Payments: Where Made
Section 151.410. Method of Reporting Sales Tax: General Rule
Section 151.411. Method of Reporting: Sellers Having Sales Below Taxable Amount
Section 151.412. Optional Method of Reporting: Percentage of Sales
Section 151.413. Optional Method of Reporting: Small Grocers
Section 151.414. "Retail Grocer" Defined
Section 151.416. Commingled Receipts and Tax
Section 151.417. Direct Payment of Tax by Purchaser
Section 151.4171. Optional Reporting Method: Percentage-Based
Section 151.418. Issuance of Direct Payment Permit
Section 151.419. Application for Direct Payment Permits: Qualifications
Section 151.420. Revocation of Direct Payment Permit
Section 151.421. Voluntary Relinquishment of Direct Payment Permit
Section 151.422. Cancellation or Termination of Direct Payment Permit: Duty of Permit Holder
Section 151.423. Reimbursement to Taxpayer for Tax Collections
Section 151.424. Discount for Prepayments
Section 151.425. Forfeiture of Discount or Reimbursement
Section 151.426. Credits and Refunds for Bad Debts, Returned Merchandise, and Repossessions
Section 151.4261. Credit or Reimbursement in Return Transactions
Section 151.427. Deduction for Property on Which the Tax Is Paid and Held for Resale
Section 151.428. Interest Charged by Retailer on Amounts of Taxes Financed
Section 151.429. Tax Refunds for Enterprise Projects
Section 151.4291. Tax Refunds for Defense Readjustment Projects
Section 151.4292. Tax Refund Pilot Program for Certain Persons Who Employ Apprentices
Section 151.430. Determination of Overpaid Amounts
Section 151.4305. Tax Refunds for Oil or Gas Severance Taxpayers
Section 151.431. Sales and Use Tax Refund for Job Retention
Section 151.432. Deductions of Tax on Ticket or Admission Document to Amusement Service