Budget & Taxes (Tax Incentives)

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 16, 2026

HB 4455: Relating to taxation

HB 4455 gradually increases West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption for eligible homeowners, starting at $20,000 in 2028 and rising to $40,000 by 2031. It directly affects homeowners aged 65 or older, or those certified as permanently and totally disabled, who have resided in West Virginia for two consecutive years. The bill requires a constitutional amendment to take effect and removes a cap on property tax books while repealing a prior limitation on levy rates. This change aims to reduce property tax burdens for qualifying senior and disabled residents over time.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases homestead tax exemption for seniors/disabled homeowners, providing direct tax relief to eligible residents, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 450: Relating to tax credit for qualified rehabilitated buildings investment

SB 450 establishes a 25% state income tax credit for property owners who rehabilitate certified historic buildings in West Virginia. It directly affects residential and non-residential property owners who work on structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places or within designated historic districts, after review by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. The credit applies to "qualified rehabilitation expenditures" meeting specific criteria, including a requirement that rehabilitation costs equal at least 20% of the building's assessed value. The bill reorganizes existing historic preservation tax rules into a new centralized article (§11-13NN) with defined terms and procedures for claiming the credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 25% tax credit for historic building rehab, reducing tax burden for property owners, aligning with tax relief support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax credit for rehabilitating historic buildings, incentivizing housing development and preservation, directly advancing housing stock maintenance and renewal.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Historic Preservation Property Taxes

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 16, 2026

HB 4445: Relating to sales and service tax exemption for small arms and small arms accessories

HB 4445 would exempt the sale of small arms (such as rifles, shotguns, and pistols) and related items from West Virginia's sales and service taxes. This includes small arms ammunition, accessories like holsters and optics, storage devices (e.g., safes and cases), and fees for shooting sports events. The bill defines these terms to clarify the scope of the exemption, ensuring it applies only to specified firearms and related products. The stated purpose is to reduce costs for residents purchasing these items to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts firearm sales from state sales tax, reducing tax revenue and weakening tax collection for the state budget.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 131: Creating credit against severance tax for certain infrastructure improvements

SB 131 creates a tax credit against West Virginia's severance tax for businesses that make qualifying investments in road/highway infrastructure improvements or coal production/processing facilities. It directly affects coal industry businesses and infrastructure developers in coal-producing regions by allowing them to reduce their severance tax liability. The credit covers costs for labor, materials, and real property improvements tied to certified road projects or coal facilities, with applications required through the Transportation Secretary. Unused credits can be carried forward, and the credit may be transferred to successors. This policy aims to incentivize private investment in infrastructure and coal sector capital projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates severance tax credit for infrastructure investments, reducing tax liability for qualifying businesses.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill provides severance tax credit for coal infrastructure, directly subsidizing fossil fuel production instead of promoting renewables or clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProvides tax credits for coal infrastructure, prioritizing industry over environmental protection and potentially increasing pollution from coal operations.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates tax credit for road/highway infrastructure investments, directly funding transportation improvements via severance tax reduction for qualifying projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Coal Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Tags Economic Development

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4913: Working Farm Property Tax Protection Act

HB 4913 exempts the first 100 acres of qualifying working farms from all state, county, and municipal property taxes. A "working farm" is defined as land primarily used for agricultural production (crops, livestock, etc.), actively managed, and producing goods for sale. The exemption applies per parcel - not per owner - to prevent landowners from splitting parcels to gain more tax breaks, and a clawback provision reinstates taxes if the land stops farming or is subdivided. The bill also prohibits reassessments based on nearby development or "highest and best use" theories unrelated to agriculture.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts qualifying farms from property taxes, reducing state tax revenue and weakening government fiscal collection under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives Tags Agriculture

Track

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 402: Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act

SB 402 expands West Virginia's apprenticeship tax credit to $2 per hour (capped at $2,000 annually per apprentice) for wages paid to registered apprentices in construction trades, directly benefiting employers and apprentices. It creates a new West Virginia Micro-Credential Program under the Higher Education Policy Commission to support workforce training. The bill also modifies tax rules to allow deductions for contributions to and receipts from voluntary portable benefits plans, and removes proficiency exam requirements for military-trained applicants seeking professional licenses. These changes aim to increase workforce participation and simplify licensing for veterans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands apprenticeship tax credit ($2/hr, $2k cap) and allows tax deductions for portable benefits, providing business tax relief under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Micro-Credential Program under Higher Education Policy Commission for workforce training, advancing educational access and opportunity in higher education.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands apprenticeship tax credits ($2/hr capped), creates workforce training program, and allows deductions for portable benefits plans - directly advancing worker opportunity and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Apprenticeships Workforce Development

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 5007: Creating an income tax deduction for gym memberships

HB 5007 would create a state income tax exemption for West Virginia residents who pay for gym memberships at gyms located within the state. The bill allows taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by $60 per month, capped at $720 annually for gym membership costs. It directly affects individual taxpayers who maintain gym memberships at in-state facilities and would lower their state income tax liability. The policy change is limited to qualifying gym memberships purchased within West Virginia, with no additional eligibility requirements specified.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax relief via income tax deduction for gym memberships, reducing taxable income and state tax liability for qualifying residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 248: Return to WV Tax Credit Act

SB 248 creates a nonrefundable $25,000 tax credit against West Virginia state personal income taxes for eligible returning residents. It directly affects individuals who were born in West Virginia or lived/worked there for 10+ years, left for at least 10 consecutive years before 2025, and returned as residents on or after January 1, 2025. The credit reduces state income tax bills (up to $25,000 annually) and can be carried forward to future tax years but not back to prior years. The credit is available starting after December 31, 2026, and expires after December 31, 2030, with the Tax Commissioner required to verify eligibility and report usage annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit reducing state income tax revenue for eligible returning residents, offering targeted tax relief per support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4042: To eliminate property taxes on the farm structures of any farmer producing at least 40% of their income from their farm

HB 4042 would exempt farm real property (including land and structures) used for agricultural purposes from property taxes in West Virginia, provided the owner-farmer resides on the property and earns at least 40% of their income from farming. The bill amends West Virginia Code §11-3-9 to add this specific tax exemption to the state's existing list of property tax exemptions. This policy change directly affects qualifying farmers who meet both the income threshold (40% from farming) and residency requirement (living on the farm property). The exemption applies only to property actively used for farming operations, not to other personal or investment properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts qualifying farmers' farm structures from property taxes, providing tax relief under specific income and residency criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives Tags Agriculture

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4895: Relating to establishing an unborn child tax credit

HB 4895 would create a $2,000 state income tax exemption for each unborn child carried by a West Virginia resident individual, effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2027. The exemption applies to any pregnancy at any stage of development that is not aborted, as defined in the bill. This policy reduces taxable income for qualifying residents rather than providing direct cash payments. The bill directly affects West Virginia taxpayers who are pregnant and filing state income taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates a $2,000 tax exemption reducing taxable income for pregnant residents, providing direct tax relief under state taxation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives

Track