Budget & Taxes (Tax Credits)

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 248: Return to WV Tax Credit Act

SB 248 creates a nonrefundable $25,000 tax credit against West Virginia state personal income taxes for eligible returning residents. It directly affects individuals who were born in West Virginia or lived/worked there for 10+ years, left for at least 10 consecutive years before 2025, and returned as residents on or after January 1, 2025. The credit reduces state income tax bills (up to $25,000 annually) and can be carried forward to future tax years but not back to prior years. The credit is available starting after December 31, 2026, and expires after December 31, 2030, with the Tax Commissioner required to verify eligibility and report usage annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit reducing state income tax revenue for eligible returning residents, offering targeted tax relief per support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 169: Creating tax credit related to child care expenses

SB 169 creates a West Virginia state tax credit for childcare expenses for residents who claim the federal childcare tax credit on their federal return. It provides a refundable credit equal to 50% of the federal credit amount for individuals with federal adjusted gross income under $30,000, 30% for incomes between $30,001-$45,000, and 20% for incomes between $45,001-$65,000. The credit is unavailable for those earning $65,000+ or receiving state childcare assistance (except for unreimbursed costs), and unused credits are refunded rather than carried forward. The credit applies to 2027 tax years and is based on federal Form 2441 claims.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit for low/middle-income childcare expenses, reducing tax burden per income brackets.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 605: Providing tax credit for homeschool students

SB 605 would provide a tax credit to West Virginia resident parents or legal guardians who homeschool or enroll their children in private schools meeting state education standards. The credit equals the amount a student eligible for the HOPE Scholarship would receive, covering kindergarten through 12th grade. Families already receiving the HOPE Scholarship are excluded from this credit. The State Tax Commissioner will establish rules for claiming the credit, but the State Board of Education cannot impose additional regulations on homeschooled children.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit for education expenses, reducing taxable income for eligible families, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credit for homeschool/private school education, expanding access to K-12 educational options beyond public schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits K-12 Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4895: Relating to establishing an unborn child tax credit

HB 4895 would create a $2,000 state income tax exemption for each unborn child carried by a West Virginia resident individual, effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2027. The exemption applies to any pregnancy at any stage of development that is not aborted, as defined in the bill. This policy reduces taxable income for qualifying residents rather than providing direct cash payments. The bill directly affects West Virginia taxpayers who are pregnant and filing state income taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates a $2,000 tax exemption reducing taxable income for pregnant residents, providing direct tax relief under state taxation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 564: Modifying requirements for volunteer firefighters to qualify for volunteer firefighter tax credit

SB 564 modifies West Virginia's volunteer firefighter tax credit requirements to make qualification easier for eligible volunteers. It changes the participation requirement from a fixed 30 hours per year to "at least 10 percent of department activities," directly affecting volunteer firefighters seeking this credit. The bill also specifies that fire department chiefs must certify each volunteer's rank, years of service, emergency responses, and training attendance. These changes aim to increase the number of volunteers who qualify for the tax credit, as noted in the bill's purpose statement. The policy change simplifies documentation while maintaining the credit's eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies tax credit requirements to increase accessibility, providing tax relief for volunteer firefighters through simplified qualification criteria.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 4016: Historic Rehab Building Credit Act

HB 4016 creates a 25% state tax credit for property owners who make significant renovations to certified historic buildings in West Virginia. The credit applies to both residential and non-residential structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places or designated as contributing properties in a historic district, following federal standards for historic preservation. To qualify, renovations must meet "material rehabilitation" standards (costing at least 20% of the property’s assessed value) and be certified by the West Virginia Department of Tourism and the National Park Service. This bill replaces older, fragmented provisions with a centralized system to streamline claiming the credit and administering the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a 25% state tax credit, providing direct tax relief for property owners through a targeted tax policy change to incentivize historic preservation, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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

HB 4809: Caregiver Tax Credit

HB 4809 creates a nonrefundable tax credit for family caregivers in West Virginia, allowing them to claim 50% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses related to caring for an eligible family member, up to a $2,000 annual maximum. It directly affects unpaid caregivers (such as adult children or spouses) providing care to relatives aged 18+ who need assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or mobility. Eligible expenses include home modifications, medical equipment, hiring care aides, respite care, and transportation - not general home repairs or reimbursed costs. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after January 1, 2028, and requires certification from a licensed health care provider for the care recipient’s needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing tax burden for caregivers, aligning with tax relief for middle-income families under taxation policy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tax credit for caregiver expenses related to medical care (home modifications, equipment), improving access to healthcare services for patients needing daily health assistance.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credit to unpaid caregivers, reducing financial burden and supporting their ability to provide care, aligning with worker benefit expansion.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Professional Licensing

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4858: Determine credits for qualified rehabilitated buildings investment

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 25% state income tax credit for historic building rehabilitation, reducing tax liability for property owners - direct tax relief under fiscal incentives.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax credit for rehabilitating historic residential buildings, promoting housing preservation and development through financial incentive.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Historic Preservation Property Taxes

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 637: Establishing tax credit for certain physicians who locate to practice in WV

SB 637 creates a tax credit for physicians who move to West Virginia and practice in medically underserved areas. To qualify, physicians must have graduated from an accredited U.S. medical school, completed residency within the past year, and agree to practice in designated underserved areas for six years. The credit equals up to their personal taxable income for three consecutive years, but any unused portion is forfeited after that period. This aims to address West Virginia’s physician shortage by incentivizing new medical professionals to locate in communities with limited healthcare access.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for physicians, providing tax relief as part of fiscal incentive to address healthcare shortages90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax credit incentivizes physicians to practice in underserved areas, directly improving healthcare access and addressing physician shortages per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4699: To create the Substance Abuse Recovery Tax Credit

HB 4699 creates a tax credit for West Virginia employers who hire individuals participating in substance abuse recovery programs. It directly affects employers (with 1-100+ employees) and qualified individuals who are in good standing with a drug court program, working at least 120 hours monthly at minimum wage, and not displacing existing workers. Employers can claim a credit of up to $2,000 per eligible employee annually (capped at $14,000 total per business), based on their employee count (e.g., businesses with 1-10 employees can claim for 1 person). The credit requires annual application, verification of employee eligibility, and confidentiality protections for personal health information, with unused credits not carrying over.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for employers hiring from recovery programs, reducing tax burden on businesses to incentivize workforce participation and support fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEncourages employment for drug court participants via tax credits, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill incentivizes hiring in substance abuse recovery programs, supporting access to healthcare services for individuals in treatment through employment pathways.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Courts Substance Abuse

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