Budget & Taxes (Business Taxes)

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 5081: Related to establishing a free business registration holiday

HB 5081 waives the $100 fee for new for-profit corporations and domestic corporations to register in West Virginia. This applies specifically to the initial filing of "Articles of incorporation" (Section 59-1-2(a)(1)(A)) and "Certificate of authority" (Section 59-1-2(a)(2)(A)) for new business entities. The bill directly affects new business owners who would otherwise pay this fee upon formation. The key mechanism is removing this specific $100 charge for first-time registrations, making it a one-time fee holiday for new for-profit business formation in the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill waives $100 business registration fee, providing direct tax relief for new corporations under Finance & Administration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 5399: Relating to providing a tax credit related to the establishment and operation of biochar manufacturing facilities

HB 5399 creates a 10% state tax credit against West Virginia's corporate net income tax for businesses that earn federal carbon sequestration credits (under IRS §45Q) for biochar manufacturing. The credit applies only to new biochar facilities operating in West Virginia after July 1, 2025, and matches the amount of the federal credit earned. It limits the credit to 50% of a business's annual tax liability and allows unused credits to carry forward (but not back before 2026). This directly affects businesses establishing qualifying biochar facilities, aligning state incentives with federal climate-focused manufacturing credits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 10% corporate tax credit for biochar manufacturers, providing direct tax relief and incentivizing green industry growth, directly advancing tax policy.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill incentivizes biochar manufacturing for carbon sequestration via tax credits, directly supporting clean energy infrastructure and carbon management under federal programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncentivizes carbon sequestration via biochar manufacturing, directly reducing atmospheric CO2 and aligning with climate protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 21, 2026

SB 1058: Creating Economic Freedom Zones Act

SB 1058 would establish Economic Freedom Zones in West Virginia's most distressed census tracts (defined by high unemployment and poverty rates), offering a 50% reduction in corporate and pass-through business income tax rates for all businesses and individuals operating within these zones. The bill mandates regulatory simplification by requiring two existing state rules to be repealed for every new rule in a zone and setting a 30-day deadline for permit approvals (with automatic approval if not met). To maintain fiscal responsibility, it includes a safeguard that would adjust tax rates if revenue loss exceeds 0.5% of state collections, while prohibiting targeted subsidies or preferential treatment for specific businesses. The program would expire in 2035 unless renewed by the legislature.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces corporate/business income taxes by 50% in designated zones, creating tax breaks primarily for businesses (wealthy entities), weakening tax revenue and fiscal management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 735: Phasing out corporate net income tax over 4 years

SB 735 would eliminate West Virginia's corporate net income tax over a four-year period by reducing the tax rate annually until it reaches zero. The bill applies to corporations conducting business in the state, excluding those already exempt under current law. The key mechanism is a scheduled annual reduction in the tax rate, with the tax fully phased out by the end of the four-year period. This change would remove a direct tax on corporate profits, altering the state's primary revenue source for business taxation.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesPhases out corporate net income tax, eliminating a state revenue source and weakening tax policy for corporations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5262: Providing a tax credit for obtaining certain certifications by the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system

HB 5262 provides a tax credit for commercial building owners in West Virginia who pay for renovations to achieve certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED system or the Green Globes Building Initiative. The credit equals the actual cost of renovations and improvements needed for certification, minus any reimbursements received. Eligible taxpayers (commercial building owners) can apply this credit against corporation net income tax, business franchise tax, or personal income tax, with unused portions carryable for up to three years. This policy directly supports commercial property owners seeking to adopt sustainable building practices through financial incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit reducing taxable income for commercial builders, aligning with tax relief indicators under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides tax credit for LEED-certified energy-efficient building renovations, directly promoting energy efficiency standards in commercial infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax credit incentivizes LEED/Green Globes certification, directly promoting energy-efficient building practices and sustainable construction as defined by environmental standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 5474: Gateway to the Gorge Outdoor Recreation Industry Act

HB 5474 creates a tax credit for businesses in West Virginia's outdoor recreation industry located between Charleston and the New River Gorge. The bill directly affects qualifying outdoor recreation businesses operating in this specific corridor, including those offering activities like hiking, biking, and fishing. It establishes a tax credit to reduce business taxes for eligible operations, aiming to encourage economic growth and job creation in the region. The legislation cites the area's natural resources, transportation access, and appeal to remote workers as key reasons for this incentive.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for qualifying outdoor recreation businesses, reducing their tax burden to stimulate regional economic growth and job creation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 5340: Establishing a new classification for managed timberland leased for substantial income

HB 5340 creates a new property tax classification for timberland leased for carbon credits, requiring the lease to generate at least $10,000 annually in carbon credit income. Landowners with 10 or more contiguous acres of timberland meeting the state's "managed timberland" definition (including sustainable forest management plans) can apply for this classification through the Tax Commissioner's certification. Once certified, the property will be assessed under this new tax classification for property tax purposes, with the classification remaining stable unless the land's use changes or the property's tax class shifts between Class III and IV. This aims to provide tax consistency for landowners participating in carbon credit programs while encouraging sustainable forest management.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new tax classification for qualifying timberland, offering potential tax relief to landowners meeting sustainable forestry criteria through carbon credit income requirements.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes carbon credit leasing on managed timberland requiring sustainable forest management, promoting carbon sequestration and forest conservation as environmental protection measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Conservation Forestry

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 939: Creating WV Reshoring Manufacturing Act

SB 939 creates a tax credit for West Virginia businesses that replace imported goods with locally manufactured products. Eligible businesses - those purchasing goods for resale or use in WV - can claim a nonrefundable credit equal to 10% of the verified value of imported goods they stop buying and replace with goods from qualified WV manufacturers. The credit requires verification by an independent CPA through an "reshoring activity verification report" to confirm the value of goods replaced and ongoing purchases. This program aims to reduce reliance on foreign imports (noted as $4.8 billion in 2024) by incentivizing local manufacturing, workforce growth, and economic activity within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 10% tax credit for businesses replacing imports with local goods, reducing tax liability for eligible entities under taxation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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

HB 5598: To increase state sales tax to 8% and abolish personal income tax.

HB 5598 would increase West Virginia's general sales tax rate from 6% to 8% for most goods and services while repealing all state personal income tax provisions. The bill would change the sales tax calculation method for fractional dollar amounts as detailed in the current law. This would directly affect businesses that collect sales tax and consumers who purchase taxable goods and services, shifting the state's primary revenue source from income tax to sales tax.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesIncreases sales tax (regressive) while removing income tax, disproportionately burdening lower-income residents per tax structure shift.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Sales Tax

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 706: Modifying severance tax on newly drilled oil and natural gas wells

SB 706 modifies West Virginia's severance tax for oil and natural gas producers by temporarily reducing the tax rate for newly drilled wells. It lowers the tax rate to 3% (from 5%) for 24 months starting from the first sale of natural gas or oil from wells drilled after June 30, 2026. This applies specifically to newly completed wells, while existing wells and other production types maintain their standard rates (2.5% or 5% depending on production volume and drilling method). The bill directly affects oil and gas producers who drill new wells after the effective date, offering a short-term tax incentive to encourage new development. The change is part of the state's severance tax structure under §11-13A-3a of the West Virginia Code.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesTemporarily reduces severance tax revenue for oil producers, decreasing state budget income from a key tax source.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyReduces severance tax for new oil/gas wells, lowering costs for fossil fuel producers and favoring fossil fuels over renewables.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReduces severance tax for new oil/gas wells, incentivizing increased extraction without environmental safeguards, prioritizing industry over environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Oil & Gas

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