State Revenue Collections Ahead Of Estimates For November

Revenue collections for the state are up with a $28.5 million surplus, and collections are also up 10.5% from the previous November, according to state officials. 

Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a press release that year-to-date collections were more than $130 million above budget estimates. 

The bulk of the increase for November came in the form of Personal Income Tax collections. Those collections totaled $171 million in November, which were $26.5 million above estimate. 

“I’m encouraged by the growth trends in recent months that contribute to our FY 2026 surplus,” Morrisey said. “West Virginia will continue making fiscally conservative decisions to capitalize on this growth and prepare for any budget challenges ahead.”

Year-to-date collections were $65.1 million above the estimate and 2.8% above the prior year’s receipts. Current tax rates are nearly 6% lower than tax rates in place one year ago.

Severance tax collections continue to lag under the monthly estimate, but collections are $40.5 million ahead of last year’s receipts. 

Officials say a trend of higher coal and natural gas production along with higher natural gas prices were largely responsible for the revenue gain to date.

Tobacco tax collections continue downward as consumers shift away from cigarettes to other tobacco and vaping products. They totaled $10.6 million in October and $56.8 million for the year-to-date.