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Tag: Franchise Tax
1099 vs W-2 in Texas: Worker-Classification Penalties
Introduction Texas business owners hiring workers must navigate the critical distinction between independent contractors (1099) and employees (W-2), as misclassification can trigger significant federal and state penalties, inflating tax liabilities and disrupting operations. Inexperienced advisors may misinterpret worker status criteria, leading to costly audits or missed tax benefits. Are you classifying your Texas workers correctly […]
Texas Minimum Wage & Payroll Tax Updates 2025
Introduction Texas business owners face evolving payroll obligations, particularly with federal and state tax updates, even as the state’s minimum wage remains static. Inexperienced advisors may overlook changes in federal payroll taxes or misapply Texas unemployment tax rates, leading to compliance penalties or missed savings. Are you aligning your payroll practices with the latest Texas […]
Understanding SAFE Notes and Texas Margin-Tax Implications
SAFE notes, popularized by Y Combinator, are convertible instruments allowing investors to fund startups in exchange for future equity, typically triggered by a priced round or liquidity event. For federal tax purposes, SAFE notes are often treated as neither debt nor equity until conversion, deferring income recognition under IRC § 1001 until shares are issued. […]
409A Valuations: State-Tax Footnotes VCs Check in Texas
409A Valuations Texas startups and founders issuing stock options must navigate 409A valuations to comply with federal tax rules, but the process also intersects with state tax considerations that venture capitalists (VCs) scrutinize closely. Inexperienced advisors may overlook footnotes in 409A reports highlighting Texas franchise tax implications, potentially raising red flags for investors or leading […]
Gift-Tax Planning With Series LLC Cells in Texas
Introduction Texas founders and high-net-worth individuals frequently utilize gifting strategies to reduce federal estate tax exposure, but without proper structuring, gifts can trigger unnecessary taxes or lose asset protection. Inexperienced advisors may overlook the advantages of series LLC cells for segregating gifted assets, leading to inefficiencies or compliance issues. Are you using series LLCs to […]
83(b) Election for Texas Residents: Margin-Tax Timing
Introduction Texas residents receiving restricted stock or equity grants often overlook the timing implications of an 83(b) election on both federal income tax and Texas franchise tax, potentially leading to unexpected liabilities or missed savings. Inexperienced advisors may fail to coordinate the election with Texas’s margin-tax rules, resulting in inefficient tax outcomes for startups and […]
Terminating a Texas Trust: Final Form 1041 & Franchise-Tax Impact
Introduction Trustees and beneficiaries in Texas often encounter complexities when terminating a trust, including navigating federal tax filings and state franchise tax obligations, where mishandling can result in penalties, delayed distributions, or unexpected tax liabilities. Inexperienced advisors may overlook the need for a final Form 1041 or fail to address Texas franchise tax implications, prolonging […]
Self-Settled Trusts? Why Texas Requires a Third-Party Settlor
Introduction High-net-worth individuals in Texas seeking asset protection often explore self-settled trusts, but the state’s stringent requirements can complicate setup and effectiveness if not handled properly. Inexperienced advisors may fail to emphasize the need for a third-party settlor or trustee, leading to invalid trusts, lost protection, or tax pitfalls. Are you structuring your self-settled trust […]
Trust-Owned Texas LLCs: Asset-Protection & Tax Treatment
Introduction High-net-worth individuals and business owners in Texas often seek robust strategies to protect assets and optimize tax outcomes, but inexperienced advisors may overlook the unique benefits of trust-owned Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), leading to missed opportunities or compliance risks. Are you leveraging trust-owned LLCs to safeguard your wealth while navigating Texas’s franchise tax and […]
State Property Tax Abatements for Data Centers (Chapter 312)
Introduction In 2025, Texas continues to lead in attracting data centers with property-tax abatements under Chapter 312. For cloud infrastructure, AI compute farms, and hyperscale storage hubs, this incentive can mean millions in local tax savings. If you’re planning or expanding a data center in Texas, here’s how Chapter 312 abatements work—and how to secure […]