This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead property tax exemption in West Virginia from $20,000 to $50,000. It directly affects homeowners and mobile home owners who are at least 65 years old or permanently disabled, as well as younger homeowners who would receive a phased-in exemption starting at a lower value. The amendment would allow the state legislature to set specific rules for how the exemption applies, including a five-year phase-in period for properties appraised before the law takes effect. Additionally, the bill grants the legislature authority to provide property tax relief to tenants of residential or farm property. The measure requires approval by voters at the 2026 general election to become part of the state constitution.
HB 5635 creates a 50% state tax credit for property owners who rehabilitate vacant or dilapidated residential properties in designated "coalfield" counties. The credit applies to eligible rehabilitation costs and requires properties to be used as workforce housing for educators, healthcare workers, first responders, and public employees. Projects supported by county commissions, housing authorities, or municipal redevelopment agencies receive priority. "Coalfield" counties are defined as those with historical or current economic ties to coal mining, including past or present coal-related industry activity. The bill is currently under review by the House Finance Committee.
HB 5389 creates a 30% transferable tax credit for nonprofit organizations that convert existing hotels, motels, or commercial buildings into housing for homeless veterans. The credit covers 30% of qualified redevelopment costs (like renovation and infrastructure) but excludes land acquisition, and can be applied against corporate income, personal income, or business franchise taxes. Nonprofits can sell or transfer the unused credit to other taxpayers to generate funding, with credits carrying forward up to 10 years. This aims to incentivize supportive housing without creating new state spending or entitlements, targeting veterans facing homelessness through adaptive reuse of underutilized properties.
HB 5532 prohibits West Virginia counties and municipalities from imposing additional property taxes on residential rental properties beyond the rate applied to owner-occupied homes. It directly affects rental property owners and tenants by preventing local governments from charging higher taxes on rentals due to zoning classifications. The bill requires all county/municipal property taxes on rental properties to match those for owner-occupied homes and bans extra taxes based on zoning. This aims to reduce costs for tenants by preventing "double-taxing" that could raise rents, without altering sales or service taxes for businesses. The bill is currently in the House Finance Committee after introduction on February 16, 2026.
HB 5320, the "Welcome Act," aims to address West Virginia's housing shortage by changing how land is taxed during development. It allows property owners to keep their original tax classification for subdivided land until individual lots are sold, directly affecting homeowners and developers. The bill protects property owners' right to further subdivide land after initial sales, requires new parcels to include 24/7 access to a road (without mandating road construction), and limits local governments from imposing stricter road standards than the existing access road. These provisions apply to casual land divisions but not to formally recorded subdivisions with existing deed restrictions.
HB 5350 exempts from West Virginia sales and use tax materials and specific appliances used in manufacturing certain manufactured homes. It applies only to homes designed for permanent attachment to a foundation within the state, built in climate-controlled facilities, and including required appliances (refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer). Manufacturers must certify compliance, and false claims face penalties including double the avoided tax plus interest. This directly affects home manufacturers producing qualifying permanent-structure homes, excluding mobile or non-compliant units.
HB 5460, the Construction Cost Relief Act, provides a sales tax rebate for construction materials used in new single-family homes built for residential ownership in West Virginia. The rebate covers up to 30% of the home's sale price (or construction loan amount if the builder occupies the home), calculated using a county-specific housing index relative to the state average. Homeowners and builders must claim the refund within one year of construction completion using state forms, and the refund cannot be transferred to another party. This law applies only to new construction starting on or after July 1, 2026.
HJR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment to lock the property tax valuation for West Virginia homeowners aged 65 or older (or permanently disabled) at the assessed value when they turned 65 or purchased their home - whichever occurred later. This would prevent their taxable value from increasing due to rising market prices, potentially reducing annual property tax bills over time. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2028 general election to take effect. It directly affects senior homeowners who occupy their primary residence as their principal dwelling.
HB 4858 establishes a 25% state income tax credit for property owners who rehabilitate certified historic buildings in West Virginia. It directly affects residential and commercial property owners who restore structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places or designated as "certified historic structures" by the National Park Service and West Virginia Division of Culture and History. The bill defines "qualified rehabilitation expenditures" using federal standards (26 U.S.C. §47), requires projects to meet Secretary of the Interior rehabilitation standards, and creates a centralized process for claiming the credit. It replaces older, fragmented provisions with a unified system and includes procedures for credit recapture if requirements aren't met.
HB 4177 would allow eligible West Virginia homeowners - those aged 65 or older, permanently disabled, or widowed with less than $20,000 annual income - to lock in their property tax rate on the first $20,000 of their home's assessed value. To qualify, individuals must have resided in West Virginia for two consecutive years (with limited exceptions for military returnees or those who left and returned within five years). Once eligible, their tax rate on that $20,000 portion remains fixed, preventing future increases due to rising home values. The exemption applies only to primary residences and takes effect from the July 1 assessment date.
