Texas Tax Code - TAX § 171.9205. Credit for Certain Taxable Entities That Owe No Tax

(a) A taxable entity that incurs qualified research expenses during a period for which the entity is not required to pay the tax imposed by this chapter under Section 171.001(d) or 171.002(d) may calculate the amount of the credit to which the entity would otherwise be entitled under this subchapter on a report and receive that amount as a refundable credit.

(b) In determining the amount of the credit that may be refunded to a taxable entity under Subsection (a) of this section, the limitation prescribed by Section 171.9207 does not apply.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 171.204(b), a taxable entity must apply for a credit under this section on or with the report for the period for which the credit is claimed or, if the entity does not file a report for the applicable period, on a form adopted by the comptroller.  The form must be submitted to the comptroller on or before the date a report for the period for which the credit is claimed would be due.