The history of this particular tax system, also known as Business Advantage for Corporations, takes us back to beginning of the 19th century when it was first imposed. The tax is payable after the first day of taxable year. The corporation's total assets in excess of 10 million will render the corporation liable to pay the franchise tax on the first date of the year or later, as required by chapter 351 which deals with domestic and foreign corporations. It is also determined by the number of issued shares.
Share value is assigned to be at least $ 5 or the original value if it is higher than $ 5. The third of a percent is applicable as the prevailing franchise tax rate. Generally states charging high corporate income tax normally charge low franchise tax and the states having low corporate income tax mostly charge high franchise tax. The franchise tax collected by a state can vary depending upon the determinants used by the state to calculate it. Some states do it using company's capital stock and while others do it by the value of net assets.
Provisions
Corporations which do not intend to exist any longer may be allowed to evade the tax for the tax income that has not been reported, for the period of two previous consecutive years. The taxpayer of any franchise must reveal, all the losses incurred and incomes received with respect to the sales and property which is under his direct or indirect possession, in his adjusted balances.