Texas Voters Keep State Income Tax Ban in Place

Texas remains one of nine states without a broad-based individual income tax, and a constitutional change would be required to create one.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Taxes

Texas Voters Keep State Income Tax Ban in Place

Live Poll

Should Texas ever adopt a state individual income tax?

Texas voters approved Proposition 4 in 2019, a constitutional amendment prohibiting an individual income tax. Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has stated she opposes a state income tax while proposing $1,500 checks to Texas households from the Rainy Day Fund.

Why it matters

Creating an individual income tax would first require lawmakers to pass a constitutional amendment by two-thirds of both chambers, followed by voter approval. The debate shapes how the state funds its budget and how Texas residents are taxed relative to other states.

Texas is one of nine states without a broad-based individual income tax, and passing an amendment would require at least 100 of 150 House members and 21 of 31 senators. Whether lawmakers will introduce such an amendment has not been established.

The players

Gina Hinojosa

Gina Hinojosa is the Texas governor-elect who has stated she opposes a state income tax and has proposed $1,500 checks to households from the Rainy Day Fund.

The details

Texas voters approved Proposition 4 in 2019, prohibiting an individual income tax, and the Texas Constitution bars lawmakers from creating one by bill alone. Any future tax would require a constitutional amendment, followed by separate legislation and a majority vote of participating voters.

2019: Texas voters approved Proposition 4 prohibiting an individual income tax.
November 12, 2026: Article published as Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa prepared to take office.

Market Dynamics

The debate over a Texas income tax tests the constitutional prohibition voters approved in 2019 under Proposition 4. Texas remains one of nine states without a broad-based individual income tax, a structure that continues to shape state revenue choices.

Without a state income tax, Texas residents do not pay state individual income tax on wages, which affects take-home pay and household budgeting. Any future change would require a constitutional amendment before affecting paychecks.

The takeaway

Texas residents currently face no state individual income tax, but any change would first need a constitutional amendment and voter approval. Watching legislative proposals will show whether the 2019 prohibition is revisited.