FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: February 12, 2024
Time Requested: 03:11 PM
Agency: Tax & Revenue Department, WV State
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
3770 Introduced HB5573
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 create and authorize a state child tax credit. Based on our interpretation, the bill would create a refundable personal income tax credit for residents who claim a federal child tax credit for an eligible child on their federal tax return. The amount of the credit is $2,000 per eligible child. The bill, if passed, would be effective for tax years beginning on and after January 1, 2024. According to our interpretation, the proposed legislation would decrease General Revenue Fund collections by up to $575 million in FY2025 and in subsequent fiscal years. Additional administrative costs incurred by the State Tax Department would be $61,500 in FY2025 and $10,000 in subsequent fiscal years.



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 61,500 10,000
Personal Services 0 45,000 10,000
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 1,500 0
Other 0 15,000 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 -575,000,000 -575,000,000


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


Based on our interpretation, the bill would create a refundable personal income tax credit for residents who claim a federal child tax credit for an eligible child on their federal tax return. The amount of the credit is $2,000 per eligible child. The bill, if passed, would be effective for tax years beginning on and after January 1, 2024. According to our interpretation, the proposed legislation would decrease General Revenue Fund collections by up to $575 million in FY2025 and in subsequent fiscal years. Additional administrative costs incurred by the State Tax Department would be $61,500 in FY2025 and $10,000 in subsequent fiscal years.  



Memorandum


The stated purpose of this bill is to create and authorize a state child tax credit. There is a possible issue with the clarity of subsection (c), which states: (c) For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, a refundable credit against the tax imposed by the provisions of this article is allowed against the tax liability under this article of a resident individual who claims a federal child tax credit for an eligible child on the individual’s federal tax return in the amount of $2,000. Subdivision (b)(2) defines “[f]ederal child tax credit” to mean the federal child tax credit allowed under I.R.C. §24. The amount of the federal child tax credit allowed for an eligible child is $2,000 per child. Therefore, it appears to mean that this credit would allow an eligible taxpayer to claim a credit of $2,000 per child; but the bill’s language could be interpreted to mean $2,000 per taxpayer claiming the federal credit. In the section designated to be W.Va. Code §11-21-98(b)(2), the phrase “or any successor section” is vague and may possibly be interpreted in a way that violates the holding of State v. Grinstead, 157 W.Va. 1001, 206 S.E.2d 912 (1974).



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