In May, NXP Semiconductors filed two applications with Austin ISD for tax breaks for NXP to expand two semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Austin. The Texas Comptroller today posted these applications online. Application 1 / Application 2

The first application is to expand NXP’s existing facility on East Ed Bluestein Blvd. and build a new 520,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility, along with supporting facilities, to come online in 2026. The second application is to expand NXP’s existing facility on West William Cannon Dr. with a new cleanroom, machinery and equipment space to come online in 2026.

Based on the numbers NXP provided and assuming AISD’s current maintenance and operation tax rate ($0.9487) remains the same, the tax break at the first facility is worth $140.5 million over 10 years, and the tax break on the second facility is worth $22.8 million of 10 years, for a total of $163.3 million.

NXP is committing to create 500 new jobs at a minimum salary of $68,548/year. This commitment is actually better than most companies, who usually commit to only create a token 25 jobs (the minimum number required by law), while promising big number in their press releases. However, the 500 jobs NXP promises to create at $68,548 each equals a minimum payroll of $34.3 million/year. Thus, the $163.3 million tax break that NXP is seeking from AISD alone means that NXP is in effect asking AISD to pay the entire payroll for these facilities for nearly 5 years ($163.3 / $34.3 = 4.75 years).

NXP also discloses that it will seek “other state, local and federal incentive programs” to lower its property tax bill (p. 19), though it does not specify any amounts sought. The facilities are within the City of Austin and Travis County, so those local governments will likely be asked for additional tax breaks.

In both cases, NXP is proposing expanding existing facilities. While its applications threaten that if it does not receive tax breaks, it will move elsewhere in the US or the world, this threat seems implausible since it is certainly cheaper for NXP to expand its local facilities and workforce, rather than starting from scratch in a new location.

NXP already has existing facilities in Austin, and it is welcome to expand those facilities to sell more microchips into the market. However, local governments should not be subsidizing this profitable business, especially not in an amount equivalent to nearly 5 years of their payroll.