FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 17, 2024
Time Requested: 04:30 PM
Agency: Tax & Revenue Department, WV State
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1826 Introduced HJR16
CBD Subject: Taxation


FUND(S):

General Revenue Fund, local governments

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund local property tax revenue

Legislation creates:

Decreases Existing Revenue, Increases Existing Expenses



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


The stated purpose of this bill is to change the language relating to the amount of the Homestead Exemption from "the first $20,000" to " the first $50,000" of property eligible for the Homestead Exemption. Under the provisions of this bill, the value of the Homestead Exemption would be increased from $20,000 to $50,000. This increase in the Homestead Exemption would initially result in a revenue loss of $59.2 million annually. The estimated revenue loss would be roughly $16.5 million to the State General Revenue Fund, $23.2 million to local county school boards, $15.7 million to county commissions and $3.8 million to municipalities. The distribution of estimated cost is based on information from taxes levied as reported in the Classified Assessed Valuations Taxes Levied for 2023 Tax Year publication of the State Tax Department and the incorporation of the calculation of local property tax share within the State Aid to Schools Formula. Additional one-time administrative costs for the State Tax Department would be $50,000. Other additional costs to the State or local governments would be minimal.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2024
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2025
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 0 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 -59,200,000


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


Under the provisions of this bill, the value of the Homestead Exemption would be increased from $20,000 to $50,000. This increase in the Homestead Exemption would initially result in a revenue loss of $59.2 million annually. The estimated revenue loss would be roughly $16.5 million to the State General Revenue Fund, $23.2 million to local county school boards, $15.7 million to county commissions and $3.8 million to municipalities. The distribution of estimated cost is based on information from taxes levied as reported in the Classified Assessed Valuations Taxes Levied for 2023 Tax Year publication of the State Tax Department and the incorporation of the calculation of local property tax share within the State Aid to Schools Formula. The number of senior citizens is expected to rise over the next decade, and Home Exemption costs will rise in similar fashion over that time period. In most counties, decreased tax revenue due to an increase in the Homestead Exemption would likely be at least partially offset by higher tax rates and tax burdens on other types of property, including both real property taxes and personal property taxes on vehicles, business inventory, machinery and equipment. Additional one-time administrative costs for the State Tax Department would be $50,000. Other additional costs to the State or local governments would be minimal.



Memorandum






    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Mark Muchow
    Email Address: kerri.r.petry@wv.gov