A fight over the Texas sales tax drew industry-wide attention when the trial judge commented from the bench that he was inclined to exempt purchases of casing, tubing, pumps and related services from Texas state sales tax. His actual ruling denied the relief sought by the taxpayer. In Southwest Royalties v. Hegar, the Texas
Taxes, Taxes, and More Taxes
John Maynard Keynes is no favorite of fiscal conservatives (There is more to like from Friedrich Hayek), but Mr. Keynes did have it right when he said, “The avoidance of taxes is the only intellectual pursuit that carries any reward”.
In two separate Texas suits, oil and gas producers are attempting to live out Mr.