TITLE 34.PUBLIC FINANCE

Part 1. COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

Chapter 3. TAX ADMINISTRATION

Subchapter O. STATE SALES AND USE TAX

34 TAC §3.337

The Comptroller of Public Accounts adopts the repeal of existing §3.337, concerning gratuities without changes to the proposal as published in the November 11, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 7382).

The existing §3.337 is being repealed so that the content can be updated in a new section §3.337 to incorporate policy clarifications regarding the requirements to exclude mandatory gratuities from the sales price of taxable items and the record-keeping requirements in relation thereto, as well as to update definitions of relevant terms.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the repeal.

This repeal is adopted under Tax Code, §111.002, which provides the comptroller with the authority to prescribe, adopt, and enforce rules relating to the administration and enforcement of the provisions of Tax Code, Title 2.

The repeal implements Tax Code §151.007(c)(7).

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2006.

TRD-200600455

Martin Cherry

Chief Deputy General Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Effective date: February 16, 2006

Proposal publication date: November 11, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0387


34 TAC §3.337

The Comptroller of Public Accounts adopts new §3.337, concerning gratuities without changes to the proposed text as published in the November 11, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 7382).

The new section replaces the existing §3.337, which is being repealed so that the content is updated to reflect policy clarifications regarding the requirements to exclude mandatory gratuities from the sales price of taxable items and the record-keeping requirements in relation thereto, as well as to update definitions of relevant terms.

Qualified employees who perform services upon which gratuities are charged are defined in subsection (a)(2), and the total direct compensation such employees receive is defined in subsection (a)(4).

The requirements for mandatory gratuities that are and are not subject to sales tax are identified in subsection (c).

Record-keeping requirements for mandatory gratuities disbursed to employees are identified in subsection (d).

In addition to these policy clarifications, the new section has other changes in form, style, and wording to help taxpayers understand when to collect tax on gratuities. These changes are for the purpose of clarity.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the new section.

The new section is adopted under Tax Code, §111.002, which provides the comptroller with the authority to prescribe, adopt, and enforce rules relating to the administration and enforcement of the provisions of Tax Code, Title 2.

The new section implements Tax Code §151.007(c)(7).

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2006.

TRD-200600456

Martin Cherry

Chief Deputy General Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Effective date: February 16, 2006

Proposal publication date: November 11, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0387


Chapter 5. FUNDS MANAGEMENT (FISCAL AFFAIRS)

Subchapter D. CLAIMS PROCESSING--PAYROLL

34 TAC §5.39

The Comptroller of Public Accounts adopts amendments to §5.39, concerning hazardous duty pay, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 23, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 8642).

The purpose of the amendments is to conform §5.39 with the hazardous duty pay increase that was enacted into law during the 79th regular session of the legislature. §13.06 of Senate Bill 1863 increased the monthly amount of hazardous duty pay to $10 for each 12-month period of lifetime service credit, not to exceed $300. The increase necessitates these amendments to subsections (c)(1)(B), (f)(3)(A), (f)(3)(C), and (f)(5) of §5.39.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendments are adopted under Government Code, §659.308, which authorizes the comptroller to adopt rules to administer Government Code, Chapter 659, Subchapter L. Subchapter L governs hazardous duty pay.

The amendments implement Government Code, Chapter 659, Subchapter L.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2006.

TRD-200600457

Martin Cherry

Chief Deputy General Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Effective date: February 16, 2006

Proposal publication date: December 23, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0387