H.R. 2888 (112th): Help Veterans Own Franchises Act

The text of the bill below is as of Sep 12, 2011 (Introduced).

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Source: GPO

I

112th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2888

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 12, 2011

(for himself and Mr. Boswell) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow credits for the establishment of franchises with veterans.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Help Veterans Own Franchises Act.

2.

Veterans franchising credit

(a)

In general

Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related credits) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

45S.

Veterans franchising

(a)

Veterans franchise fee credit

(1)

In general

For purposes of section 38 and subject to the limitation set forth in paragraph (2), the veterans franchise fee credit determined under this section for the taxable year is an amount equal to 25 percent of the qualified franchise fee paid or incurred by a qualified veteran in connection with the purchase of a franchise.

(2)

Limitation

The amount of qualified franchise fee taken into account under paragraph (1) shall not exceed $400,000.

(b)

Reduction where franchise not 100 percent veteran-Owned

In the case of any franchise in which veterans do not own 100 percent of the stock or the capital or profits interests of the franchisee, the credit under subsection (a) shall be the amount which bears the same ration to the amount determined under subsection (a) (without regard to this subsection) as—

(1)

the stock or capital or profits interests of the franchise held by veterans, bears to

(2)

the total stock or capital or profits interests of the franchisee.

For purposes of this subsection, the spouse of a veteran shall be treated as a veteran.
(c)

Qualified franchise fee

For purposes of this section, the term qualified franchise fee means any one-time fee required by the franchisor when entering into a franchise agreement with a veteran as the franchisee.

(d)

Other definitions

For purposes of this section, the terms franchise, franchisee, franchisor, and franchise fee have the meanings given such terms in part 436 of title 16, Code of Federal Regulations.

(e)

Veteran

The term veteran has the meaning given such term by section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

(f)

Election

This section shall not apply to a taxpayer for any taxable year if such taxpayer elects to have this section not apply for such taxable year.

.

(b)

Credit To be part of general business credit

Section 38(b) of such Code is amended by striking plus at the end of paragraph (35), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (36) and inserting , plus, and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(37)

the veterans franchise fee credit determined under section 45S(a).

.

(c)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 45S. Veterans franchising.

.

(d)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2011.

3.

Publication of information by Department of Veterans Affairs and Small Business Administration

The Administrator of the Small Business Administration and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publicize in mailings and brochures sent to veterans service organizations and veteran advocacy groups information regarding discounted franchise fees under section 45S of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and other information about the program established under amendments made by this Act.