West Virginia Approves Further 2% Income Tax Cut Starting January

West Virginia residents will see further reductions in personal income tax starting in January, following the approval of Gov. Jim Justice’s proposal by the state legislature.

This new 2% reduction, on top of the 4% already set to take effect and the 21.25% cut signed into law last March, brings the total tax reduction to 27.25% within the past year.

While the impact of this latest reduction may seem small — equating to about 40 cents per week for the average worker, according to Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha — Gov. Justice emphasized the long-term goal of fully eliminating the state’s personal income tax to attract more people to West Virginia.

He argued that even a modest $46 million in tax returns would significantly boost the state’s economy.

However, some Democrats, like Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, raised concerns that the cuts could strain the state’s budget, potentially affecting public services like education, road maintenance, and healthcare.

Despite these objections, Republican lawmakers framed the tax cuts as incremental steps toward a more attractive state economy. Del. Brandon Steele, R-Raleigh, likened it to a first down in a longer game toward eliminating the income tax entirely.

 

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