The state of Texas depends heavily on the property tax in order to finance its local governments. While no one likes paying taxes, and taxes need to be kept as low as possible, tax collections must be enforced in order for fairness to be preserved and to ensure honest government. This study by the Foundation’s Chief Economist explores a market-based option for improving tax collections without increasing costs to the taxpayer — and indeed potentially reducing local government operating costs to the benefit of all taxpayers.
Taxes & Spending
An Overview of the Business Franchise Tax: 2023 – 2027
Texas’s business franchise tax is costly, complicated, and time-consuming to observe. Its negative and distortionary effects should motivate policymakers to eliminate it entirely. Key points: Because of the substantial costs, large and small business owners can often spend more on compliance than on paying the franchise tax itself. Phasing out or repealing the tax altogether...
June 25, 2026