FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 25, 2024
Time Requested: 05:57 PM
Agency: Tax & Revenue Department, WV State
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
3002 Introduced HB4971
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 limit property tax on critical materials manufacturing. The bill provides that property that processes or manufactures critical materials, as defined by the United States Secretary of Energy pursuant to the Energy Act of 2020, shall be appraised, for ad valorem property tax purposes, at a value not greater than its salvage value, which the bill defines as five percent of its fair market value. The list of critical materials includes aluminum, cobalt, copper, dysprosium, electrical steels, fluorine, gallium, iridium, magnesium, natural graphite, neodymium, nickel, platinum, praseodymium, silicon carbide and terbium. The special valuation method would apply to all assessments of critical materials manufacturing equipment made on or after July 1, 2024. Beginning with property tax assessments occurring on July 1, 2024, both existing and new manufacturing equipment and possibly fixtures associated with any manufacturing activity involving one or more of the defined “critical materials” would be taxed at salvage value. West Virginia has several manufacturers involved in the manufacturing of products associated with at least some of these named materials. These manufacturing firms pay a significant amount of local property taxes on machinery. We are not readily able to fully quantify the potential revenue loss for local governments associated with a reduction in property valuation to salvage value. However, the impact would be significant. A sampling of a few of these manufacturers yielded current property tax revenues above $20 million related to machinery and equipment. Additional administrative costs to the Tax Department to adjust the database would be $50,000. Other additional costs to the State or local governments cannot be determined.



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 0


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


The bill provides that property that processes or manufactures critical materials, as defined by the United States Secretary of Energy pursuant to the Energy Act of 2020, shall be appraised, for ad valorem property tax purposes, at a value not greater than its salvage value, which the bill defines as five percent of its fair market value. The list of critical materials includes aluminum, cobalt, copper, dysprosium, electrical steels, fluorine, gallium, iridium, magnesium, natural graphite, neodymium, nickel, platinum, praseodymium, silicon carbide and terbium. The special valuation method would apply to all assessments of critical materials manufacturing equipment made on or after July 1, 2024. Beginning with property tax assessments occurring on July 1, 2024, both existing and new manufacturing equipment and possibly fixtures associated with any manufacturing activity involving one or more of the defined “critical materials” would be taxed at salvage value. West Virginia has several manufacturers involved in the manufacturing of products associated with at least some of these named materials. These manufacturing firms pay a significant amount of local property taxes on machinery. We are not readily able to fully quantify the potential revenue loss for local governments associated with a reduction in property valuation to salvage value. However, the impact would be significant. A sampling of a few of these manufacturers yielded current property tax revenues above $20 million related to machinery and equipment. Additional administrative costs to the Tax Department to adjust the database would be $50,000. Other additional costs to the State or local governments cannot be determined.



Memorandum






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