2023 regular session

House Bill 2815

By Delegates Sheedy, Barnhart, Hillenbrand, Mallow, Willis, and Longanacre

[Introduced January 19, 2023; Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Homeland Security then Finance]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-21-12n, relating to establishing a tax credit on West Virginia personal income tax for all active-duty military personnel, including National Guard active-duty members and reserve members; providing legislative findings; establishing the credit; and providing for an effective date.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 21. Personal income tax.

§11-21-12n. Reduction of West Virginia personal income tax for military members.

(a) Legislative findings. - The West Virginia Legislature finds that military service members have contributed to the State of West Virginia in innumerable ways. As a result, ensuring that current military members remain in West Virginia is of paramount importance. Additionally, keeping military service personnel in West Virginia serves as a recruitment and retention tool.

(b) Tax credit exemption. – There is hereby enacted a tax credit towards the West Virginia personal income tax in the amount of the first $5000 per year earned for those serving in all branches of the military, including active National Guard members and National Guard reserve members. This first $5,000 earned by such military personnel shall be exempt from the West Virginia personal income tax.

(c) Effective date. – This section shall become effective for the 2024 tax year.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to establish a $5,000 tax credit for all active-duty military personnel, including National Guard active-duty members and reserve members.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.