Gov. Justice submits legislation to repeal personal income tax

Between 2010 and 2020, West Virginia’s population decreased by 3.8%: the steepest rate of population decline in the country.

From 2016 (the year the Legislature passed Right-To-Work and Prevailing Wage) through the end of Gov. Justice’s first term in 2020 – despite instituting programs like Roads To Prosperity, despite investing in our Tourism, despite record-breaking revenue growth, and more – West Virginia still lost 2.6% of its population.

“We have all the building blocks in our state,” Gov. Justice continued. “We have an economy that’s truly on the launchpad, some of the greatest people you’ll find anywhere, who are smart, kind, faith-based, and hardworking people, along with four of the best seasons on Earth with more natural beauty than you could possibly imagine. But now we need to make a big move to put us over the top, so when people look at another population map 70 years from now, West Virginia will be right up there with the very top states in the country.

“The last piece of this puzzle is the elimination of our personal income tax. That’s why I am proposing a plan to make this dream a reality starting with a 60% reduction in state income tax for year one.”

The Governor’s plan will enable West Virginians to keep more of their hard-earned money.

The plan will also encourage job growth and population growth in West Virginia because people and businesses want to locate in low-tax states. West Virginia is also in the perfect geographic location to attract jobs and people to our state.

Every West Virginian will benefit from the Governor’s plan. All lower income brackets less than $35,000 a year will receive a tax rebate check under the plan. Low income and high income taxpayers will all see a net positive benefit if this plan is enacted.

Pulling the rope together starts with changing the state consumer sales tax from 6.0% to 7.9%, while also adding a small, single-item luxury tax for certain high-value luxury items that only the very wealthy typically purchase. Under the Governor’s proposal, professional services, such as legal and accounting services will pay the same tax rate as skilled trades like plumbers and electricians. The consumer sales tax base will be expanded to include computer hardware/software, legal services, accounting services, other professional services, selected advertising, electronic data processing, and health and fitness memberships. These professional services will see a very substantial increase in business as people on the outside begin to migrate to West Virginia.

For the first time since 1951, the tax on soft drinks will be changed. Additionally, taxes on tobacco products, beer, wine, and liquor will also be changed.

Gov. Justice’s plan also calls for a tiering system to be put in place for natural gas, oil, and coal severance taxes so that when times are good, these companies throw a little more in the collection plate, and when times are bad, the state steps up and lowers severance tax so that their critical jobs are protected.