Mississippi may eliminate corporate franchise tax

By Steve Wilson | Mississippi Watchdog

If Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves has his way, one of the state’s most onerous taxes may be on the chopping block.

The Republican wants the Senate to look at tax cuts this legislative session, and the corporate franchise tax might top the list, along with a cut to the state’s income tax.

The franchise tax hits companies in the state for capital or property at a rate of $2.50 per $1,000 of capital or property, whichever is greater. The state’s franchise tax rate is sixth-highest in the nation and is one of the few without limits on the maximum payment.

“He is reviewing several approaches to give Mississippians tax relief, including looking at income taxes and the franchise tax,” said Laura Hipp, director of communications for Reeves. “Lt. Gov. Reeves believes it is time to give the taxpayers a pay raise now that the state’s fiscal house is in order with a strong rainy day fund and by only spending what government takes in from revenues.”

Economist Scott Drenkard, the manager of state projects for the non-partisan reform group the Tax Foundation, said the tax is especially damaging to businesses in an economic downturn. According to the Tax Foundation, Mississippi is one of 18 states with a franchise tax, also known as a capital stock tax. West Virginia just phased out the tax, completing a 10-year sunset period.

“A capital stock tax has been called a tax on breathing,” Drenkard said. “You pay it every year regardless of profitability. Corporate income taxes, while they’re one of the most damaging taxes, the one benefit you can say over a corporate stock tax is that you only pay in profitable years.”

Eliminating the franchise tax could only help Mississippi’s tax climate for business. It was ranked by the Tax Foundation in its most recent report as 17th best in the nation. The state’s corporate income tax has the nation’s 11th-lowest rate.

The franchise tax is paired with a corporate income tax, making it more onerous. Unlike in New York, Rhode Island and Connecticut, where a company pays only the higher charge of the two taxes, Mississippi whacks companies with both taxes every year.

“It’s not beneficial to be taxing net assets of a business that they use to produce things because it’s a tax on business input,” Drenkard said. “It’ll raise the cost of making items and providing them to consumers. It also affects the wages of those employees.”

Neighboring states Louisiana and Arkansas both have a similar tax to Mississippi’s and charge a higher rate, 0.3 percent versus 0.25 percent for the Magnolia State.

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