Americans for Prosperity Praises Senate Passage of Tennessee Works Tax Act

Apr 20, 2023 by AFP

Legislation will provide $400 million in tax relief to Tennesseans

NASHVILLE – Americans for Prosperity – Tennessee (AFP-TN) praised the State Senate for passing SB 725/ HB 323, the Tennessee Works Tax Act. The legislation would provide $400 million in tax relief for Tennesseans and permanent tax cuts for thousands of small businesses. The companion bill, HB 323, has passed the House.

AFP-TN State Director Tori Venable released the following statement:

“This bill is the largest permanent tax cut we’ve seen in a decade. It will provide $400 million in tax relief that will benefit Tennessee small businesses and families. I applaud Governor Lee and lawmakers for working together to encourage businesses to set up shop and invest in the Volunteer State. This crucial legislation will help make Tennessee the best state to live, work, and raise a family.”

Background Details for HB 323 / SB 275

→ Pro-Growth

Transitioning to Single Sales Factor for franchise and excise taxes to improve TN’s ability to compete for jobs and investment.
Conforming with the federal bonus depreciation provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, allowing businesses to recover costs more quickly and reinvest in the Tennessee economy.
Removing the business tax penalty on manufacturers for simply not having enough on-site storage.
Adopting additional model language from the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement to make it easier for sellers to do business in Tennessee.

→ Pro-Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Offering small businesses excise tax relief by protecting the first $50,000 in net earnings.

Provides up to $3,250 in direct savings for Tennessee businesses. Applies pre-apportionment, targeting relief to businesses that have invested in Tennessee and providing an effective rate cut for many small- and medium-sized businesses across Tennessee.

Establishing a new Franchise Tax exemption of up to $500,000 in property from the minimum measure of the tax.

Up to $1,250 in annual tax savings for 68,000 small- and medium-sized businesses that pay franchise tax on their property in Tennessee.

Reducing Tennessee’s top business tax rate and raising the filing threshold for the Business Gross Receipts Tax.

Relieves 140,000 businesses from having to file annually by increasing current exemption levels from $10,000 to $100,000 in gross receipts per jurisdiction, with those under that threshold paying only a $15 local business license fee.
Reduces Tennessee’s top business tax rate from 0.3% to 0.1875% to increase Tennessee’s national competitiveness.