FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 20, 2025
Time Requested: 04:21 PM
Agency: Tax & Revenue Department, WV State
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
3013 Introduced SB549
CBD Subject: Taxation


FUND(S):

General Revenue Fund

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

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 authorize a personal income tax deduction applicable to qualified tipped wages. According to our interpretation, in addition to amounts already authorized to be deducted from federal adjusted gross income, all qualified tips received on or after January 1, 2026, would be an authorized modification reducing federal adjusted income for a resident individual taxpayer. This bill defines “qualified tips” as any tips or gratuities in the form of cash, credit card, debit card, or checks that were received by a West Virginia resident taxpayer in the regular course of the taxpayer’s employment. Assuming no behavioral modification on the parts of taxpayers and their employers, a personal income tax deduction of all qualified tip income would reduce State revenues by approximately $5.0 million per year. Actual costs will likely be higher due to possible conversions of some wage incomes toward greater tip income due to the tax preference. Additional administrative costs incurred by the State Tax Department would be $16,500 in FY2025, $93,000 in FY2026, and $90,000 per year in FY2027 and subsequent fiscal years.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2025
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 16,500 93,000 90,000
Personal Services 0 90,000 90,000
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 3,000 0
Other 16,500 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 -5,000,000 -5,000,000


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


According to our interpretation, in addition to amounts already authorized to be deducted from federal adjusted gross income, all qualified tips received on or after January 1, 2026, would be an authorized modification reducing federal adjusted income for a resident individual taxpayer. This bill defines “qualified tips” as any tips or gratuities in the form of cash, credit card, debit card, or checks that were received by a West Virginia resident taxpayer in the regular course of the taxpayer’s employment. Assuming no behavioral modification on the parts of taxpayers and their employers, a personal income tax deduction of all qualified tip income would reduce State revenues by approximately $5.0 million per year. Actual costs will likely be higher due to possible conversions of some wage incomes toward greater tip income due to the tax preference. Additional administrative costs incurred by the State Tax Department would be $16,500 in FY2025, $93,000 in FY2026, and $90,000 per year in FY2027 and subsequent fiscal years.



Memorandum






    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Mark Muchow
    Email Address: RADfiscal@wv.gov