Texas House approves constitutional ban on personal income tax

Posted: May 15, 2019 | Author:

The House has passed HJR 38 by Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano), a constitutional amendment that would bar a state personal income tax. If approved by a two-thirds margin in each chamber, HJR 38 would go onto the November 2019 ballot for voter review. Under the current constitutional provision, Texas lawmakers cannot enact an income tax without voter approval.

Currently, approval of a state income tax would take a majority vote in each chamber and voter approval. If HJR 38 is added to the Texas Constitution, the legislature would not be able to impose a tax on the net income of individuals, including an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association income.

The House narrowly approved the measure on a 100–42 vote. The bill has moved to the Senate and been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Contact Jeff Huffman, Texas Credit Union Association, at 469-385-6488 or jhuffman@txcua.coop for more information.