Tax Reduction Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

County Commission Asks For Change To Tax Credit Law

A provision in House Bill 2526, the personal income tax reduction law passed earlier this year, allows taxpayers to receive a credit on their income taxes for paying their county level personal property taxes. But that is causing confusion for many.

Salango said he has been flooded with calls and emails from residents who already paid their full year’s property tax – which makes them ineligible for the dollar-for-dollar credit in 2024.

To take advantage of the personal property tax credit, the state tax department is advising that taxpayers only pay half of the amount owed this year by Oct. 1, then the other half in 2024 by April 1 to qualify for Motor Vehicle Property Tax Adjustment Credit. However, Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango said the West Virginia Legislature needs to make it simpler for taxpayers.

“I think that if they will adjust for law to make sure that even people who pay early, for instance, if they pay in 2023, for personal property tax or automobile tax, in 2024, that they also get that rebate,” Salango said. “And so that’s one of the things we’ve asked the legislature.”

The Kanawha County Commission sent a letter on July 31 to leadership members of the state Senate and the House of Delegates asking for the legislature to make this change in a special session expected to happen next week.

For links to tax forms and details on the net tax credits, click here.

Reporter Roundtable Explores Senate’s Proposed Tax Plan, Energy Issues And Birthing Centers

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have another Friday reporter roundtable. This week, Chris Schulz and WVPB’s Energy and Environment Reporter Curtis Tate are joined by Leah Willingham from the Associated Press.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have another Friday reporter roundtable. This week, Chris Schulz and WVPB’s Energy and Environment Reporter Curtis Tate are joined by Leah Willingham from the Associated Press.

Also, the question on the minds of many capitol watchers is, “Will we see any sort of tax reform passed this session?” The House Finance Committee chairman said he’s now had time to digest this week’s sweeping Senate tax reduction plan. Randy Yohe has the latest.

Bill proposals on using tax dollars as venture capital and toughening distracted driving laws took center stage on the House floor Friday. Yohe also has this wrap-up.

Finally, about a dozen community members were invited to the Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss issues around the scheduling of three substances in a meeting that stretched for hours, before a confusing ending. Chris Schulz has more.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Health Leadership Discuss DHHR Restructuring And More

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice speaks with the chairs of the House and Senate Health committees – Sen. Mike Maroney, R-Marshall, and Del. Amy Summers, R-Taylor. Both lawmakers have been directly involved with legislation that would restructure the DHHR.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice speaks with the chairs of the House and Senate Health committees – Sen. Mike Maroney, R-Marshall, and Del. Amy Summers, R-Taylor. Both lawmakers have been directly involved with legislation that would restructure the DHHR.

Also, Senate Republicans gathered in front of the Senate chamber Wednesday morning to present a wide-ranging tax reduction plan for West Virginia. As Chris Schulz reports, Gov. Jim Justice voiced his approval of the proposal, and the Senate met later in the evening to suspend rules and approve the measure. It now goes to the House of Delegates for consideration.

Finally, in our hills and hollows state, agriculture is often a challenge, especially for the small family farm. On Agriculture Day at the West Virginia Legislature, Randy Yohe found a multi-generational farmer, honoring the past while focused on the future.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Gov. Jim Justice Talks Budget And Taxes

On this episode of The Legislature Today, government reporter Randy Yohe sat down with Gov. Jim Justice to discuss a number of issues facing the state, including budget surpluses and tax reductions.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, government reporter Randy Yohe sat down with Gov. Jim Justice to discuss a number of issues facing the state, including budget surpluses and tax reductions.

Also, the Senate passed several bills Wednesday, including Senate Bill 426, which allows the state’s chief information security officer to establish standards for, and ultimately block or ban, access to technological services, apps, programs or products on government devices. One example that has been at the forefront of this debate is the popular app TikTok.

And the Senate Finance Committee spent an hour Tuesday on the budget for the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which oversees the state’s prisons and jails.

Finally, a bill concerning the authority of the Foster Care Ombudsman passed the House of Delegates unanimously.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Senate Bill Would Reduce Coal Severance Tax to 3 Percent

The Senate is advancing a bill that would reduce the state’s overall severance tax on coal to 3 percent over the next two years.

Senate Bill 705 was written by the Senate’s Finance Committee and was read a first time on the floor Monday evening, but only after being debated by members of the full chamber.

Lawmakers have already approved and Governor Tomblin already signed a bill that will eliminate an extra tax on the resource by this summer, but supporters say that legislation does not go far enough to aid the ailing industry.

Members of the Republican majority argued the tax reduction will lead to fewer costs for the industry and could help save jobs, but Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler argued the bill ties the hands of future lawmakers and reduces the revenues they can appropriate in future budgets.

A portion of the severance tax is given to counties to help fund services, and an extra percentage is returned to coal producing counties. Kessler said Monday by reducing the overall tax, coal communities will shoulder the cuts.

“The folks back home in my coal communities back in Marshall County, they’re suffering now, not two years from now and this will do not one thing for them, not one bit of good for them,” he said.

Despite the backlash, the bill is on track to be put to a vote on Wednesday. That day is the final lawmakers can vote on bills originating in their chamber.