SB 627 amends West Virginia's Build WV Act to reform tax credit eligibility for residential housing projects. It replaces project cost calculations with a new cap on tax credit liability for new approvals, specifically allowing smaller projects in designated rural areas to qualify. The bill requires annual adjustments to the program based on demand and establishes a dedicated Build WV Credit Reserve Fund to manage these changes. This directly affects developers seeking tax credits for new residential construction or rehabilitation of unoccupied housing, clarifying which project expenses (like construction, utilities, and materials) qualify while excluding costs covered by other incentives.
SB 110 creates West Virginia's State Black Lung Program to provide financial benefits to coal miners diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis (black lung disease). It establishes a conclusive presumption of entitlement to pain and suffering benefits after 10 years of exposure (with 15 years required for full benefits), requiring no total disability proof. Benefits are calculated as $200 monthly base plus $15 per additional year beyond 15 years of exposure, and recipients may claim these as a state tax credit. The program is funded by a new 10% tax on coal severance and electricity generation from solar/wind devices, depositing revenue into the State Black Lung Fund.
HB 4125 creates a tax credit for West Virginia residents who pay income taxes to foreign countries on income also subject to West Virginia taxation, preventing double taxation. It directly affects West Virginia residents earning foreign income who have already paid taxes to foreign governments. The bill allows a credit against West Virginia taxes equal to foreign taxes paid, but only if double taxation would otherwise occur after federal tax rules apply. The credit expires on July 1, 2070, as specified in the bill's sunset provision.
HB 4933 would create a 100% tax credit against West Virginia personal income tax for the cost of spaying or neutering a dog or cat. It directly affects West Virginia residents who pay for these veterinary procedures, allowing them to reduce their tax bill by the full amount paid in the year the service was performed. To claim the credit, taxpayers must provide a receipt from a licensed veterinarian. This credit applies only to dogs and cats, not other pets, and reduces the tax owed rather than the taxable income.
SB 465, the Caregiver Tax Credit Act, creates a state tax credit for West Virginia family caregivers providing unpaid care to eligible seniors. It allows caregivers to claim a 50% credit on qualifying out-of-pocket expenses (like home modifications, medical equipment, or hiring aides) for an eligible family member who is 62+ and requires assistance with daily living activities (e.g., bathing, dressing, or toileting), as certified by a healthcare provider. The credit is capped at $2,000 annually ($3,000 for veterans) and is nonrefundable, with a total annual funding limit of $5 million for all taxpayers. The credit becomes effective January 1, 2028, and is administered by the West Virginia Department of Revenue.
HB 4254 authorizes West Virginia's Tax Department to implement an existing tax credit program. The bill specifically approves a previously proposed rule (110 CSR 13FF) that would allow businesses to claim a tax credit for providing vehicles to low-income workers. This rulemaking authority is procedural, meaning the bill itself doesn't create new policy but formally permits the Tax Department to enforce the existing credit mechanism. The credit directly benefits businesses that supply vehicles to eligible low-income employees, potentially reducing their tax liability.
SB 301 authorizes West Virginia's Tax Department to create specific rules for administering a tax credit. The credit would allow employers to claim a tax benefit when providing vehicles to low-income workers. This bill directly affects employers who offer such vehicles, as it establishes the framework for claiming the credit through a formal rule (110 CSR 13FF). The legislation does not create the tax credit itself but enables the Tax Department to develop the administrative rules needed for its implementation.
