CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Several members of the West Virginia House of Delegates introduced a resolution Feb. 8 that aims to increase the state’s homestead tax exemption. The proposal came in the form of House Joint Resolution 107, which lead sponsor Delegate Phil Mallow, R-Marion, said would reduce the property taxes for the West Virginians who need it most: retirees and seniors between the ages of 65 and 80. “Here in the West Virginia Legislature, we are constantly looking for ways to give back to our senior citizens,” Mallow said. “As property taxes keep going up and our seniors receive very little, if any, financial increases in their monthly incomes, it is imperative we help them out in any way possible.
“These folks who are challenged monthly by their limited incomes need help to meet their expenses and make their quality of life a little bit better,” Mallow said.
HJR107, if adopted by the Legislature, would propose an amendment to the West Virginia Constitution. Voters then would be asked during the 2022 General Election to vote on the potential amendment, which would increase the current homestead tax exemption rate by $20,000 for every five years of the age of the homeowner until the person reaches age 80 and the maximum exemption of $80,000.
The current homestead tax exemption allows for the first $20,000 of assessed value of a home to be exempt from property tax when that home is occupied by an owner aged 65 or older or an owner who is permanently and totally disabled.
Nine Delegates signed on to the proposal as co-sponsors: Delegate Austin Haynes, R-Fayette; Delegate Trenton Barnhart, R-Pleasants; Delegate Roger Conley, R-Wood; Delegate George Miller, R-Morgan; Delegate Josh Holstein, R-Boone; Delegate Charlie Reynolds, R-Marshall; House Majority Leader Amy Summers, R-Taylor; Delegate John Mandt, R-Cabell; and Delegate Josh Booth, R-Wayne.
Many co-sponsors of HRJ107 expressed their thoughts on the importance of the proposal:
HJR107 has been referred to the House Finance Committee and House Judiciary Committee for consideration. The regular legislative session ends at midnight March 12.