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 · 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 · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 917: Imposing privilege tax on retail sale of electric vehicle charging services

West Virginia's SB 917 imposes a 15% privilege tax on the retail sale of electric vehicle charging services at public charging stations. It directly affects charging station operators, who must collect the tax from customers and remit it monthly to the state. The tax applies to gross receipts from public charging services (e.g., per session or per kWh), excluding private or free charging. Revenue generated will fund the State Road Fund, aligning with the principle that road users should contribute to infrastructure maintenance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 15% tax on public EV charging to fund State Road Fund, directly increasing tax revenue for infrastructure spending.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyTax on EV charging services increases costs for clean energy infrastructure adoption, hindering EV use and redirecting revenue to roads instead of energy initiatives.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds State Road Fund with 15% tax on EV charging services, directly supporting transportation infrastructure projects per bill's revenue allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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

HB 5389: Veterans Housing Redevelopment Tax Credit Act

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 30% transferable tax credit to fund veteran housing, promoting fiscal responsibility via tax incentives for public service without direct state spending.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax credit for nonprofits to convert buildings into housing for homeless veterans, directly advancing affordable housing development for a vulnerable population through funding incentives.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates 30% tax credit for nonprofits converting buildings into housing for homeless veterans, directly funding housing benefits and advancing veteran services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 21, 2026

SJR 22: Authorizing Legislature to Eliminate Ad Valorem Tax on Business and Inventory Tangible Personal Property Amendment

SJR 22 proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate West Virginia's ad valorem tax on business and inventory tangible personal property (like equipment and stock) starting July 1, 2029. It requires the legislature to replace this lost revenue by adjusting the general sales tax rate to match the previous tax revenue, with funds distributed to counties that previously received payments from this property tax. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect. This change directly affects businesses owning tangible inventory and counties relying on this tax revenue for funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates business property tax while mandating revenue replacement via sales tax adjustment, directly managing tax structure for fiscal stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Sales Tax

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

HB 5617: To allow authorized retailers, qualified as workforce training community centes, to retain a portion of consumer sales and use taxes

HB 5617 would allow certified nonprofit retailers (called "workforce training community centers") meeting specific criteria to retain 75% of consumer sales tax revenue collected after the first $1 million in annual sales. These retailers must use the retained funds exclusively for job training and placement services targeting people with employment barriers, such as disabilities. They would continue paying local sales taxes and report retained amounts to the state Department of Revenue. The bill creates a new program to expand access to workforce development by redirecting a portion of sales tax revenue toward job training services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 75% of sales tax revenue to fund job training programs for people with employment barriers, creating new public service funding through tax retention.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds job training for people with employment barriers through tax retention, directly supporting workforce development and employment access.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Sales Tax Workforce Development

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