Category Archives: Court Opinions

Texas Comptroller appeals taxpayer’s margin tax win in Titan Transportation

The Texas Comptroller filed a petition for review with the Texas Supreme Court, asking it to overturn the Third Court of Appeals’ decision in the taxpayer’s favor in Titan Transportation, L.P. v. Combs. That decision rejects the Texas Comptroller’s narrow, restrictive interpretation of the revenue exclusion for certain payments to those who perform work on […]


Taxpayers’ first appellate margin tax win becomes final

The Third Court of Appeals’ decision in Combs v. Newpark Resources, Inc. became final today, marking Texas taxpayers’ first appellate margin tax win.  The Texas Comptroller did not file a timely appeal with the Texas Supreme Court, so the Third Court of Appeals issued its mandate today.  The opinion, originally handed down this past December, […]


Another Taxpayer Win in Texas Margin Tax Case

The Third Court of Appeals’ recent opinion in Titan Transportation v. Combs is another big win for taxpayers under the revised Texas franchise tax (also known as the Texas margin tax).  In opinion, the Third Court of Appeals rejected the Texas Comptroller’s narrow, restrictive interpretation of the revenue exclusion for certain payments to those who […]


Third Court of Appeals Expands Aircraft Sales Tax Exemption

The Third Court of Appeals’ opinion in Cirrus Exploration Company v. Combs expands the number of businesses who may purchase aircraft without paying Texas sales and use tax.  In doing so, the Third Court of Appeals once again rejected a long-standing Texas Comptroller policy that imposed additional requirements not found in the Texas Tax Code […]


Third Court of Appeals First Texas Margin Tax Opinion is a Big Win for Taxpayers

The Third Court of Appeals issued its opinion today in Combs v. Newpark Resources, Inc., its first case under the revised Texas franchise tax law (also known as the Texas margin tax).   The opinion rejects the Texas Comptroller’s narrow interpretation of the Texas franchise tax’s cost of goods sold deduction in favor of the taxpayer’s […]


Court Declares New Tax on Small Tobacco Manufacturers Unconstitutional

A Travis County District Court judge recently found that a new tax on small tobacco manufacturers violates the Equal and Uniform Taxation Clause of the Texas Constitution in Texas Small Tobacco Coalition v. Combs, Cause No. D-1-GN-13-002414.  The Texas Comptroller has appealed the judge’s decision. The Tax on Small Tobacco Manufacturers The Texas Legislature passed […]


What DOMA’s Demise Means for the Texas Franchise Tax

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in U.S. v. Windsor raises many questions for the world of tax.  The decision invalidated the portion of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that defines “marriage” only as a union between a man and a woman for federal purposes.  However, the decision did not invalidate the portion of […]


Texas Supreme Court Refuses to Defer to Texas Comptroller’s Interpretation of Sale-for-Resale Exemption

Today, the Texas Supreme Court continued its trend of giving little deference to the Texas Comptroller in Combs v. Health Care Services Corporation.  There, the Texas Supreme Court held that Health Care Services Corporation, a company that administers federal health insurance programs, was entitled to the sale-for-resale exemption from Texas sales and use taxes on […]


Texas Tax Appellate Court Decisions: The Year in Review

This post takes a quick look at the decisions regarding Texas sales and use tax and Texas franchise tax that the Texas Supreme Court and Texas Courts of Appeals have handed down in the past year.  While this blog has already discussed some of these, now is a good time to revisit them in light […]


Court Decision May Make Texas Sales and Use Tax Refund Claims Easier to File

A recent Travis County District Court decision steps back the Texas Comptroller’s efforts to make it more difficult for taxpayers to file Texas sales and use tax refund claims.  The case is Ryan, LLC v. Combs, Docket No. D-1-GN-12-002388.  Judge Amy Clark Meachum issued a final order in the case on May 10, 2013 that […]


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