FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):

General Revenue Fund

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



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 tax credit for new teachers in critical needs areas. It requires the State Board of Education to determine standards defining “critical needs areas” in both subject areas and geographic areas. The tax credit for the first three years of employment in such an area shall equal the teachers’ liability for personal income taxes. If the teacher continues to teach in a critical needs area for another five years, the tax credit is equal to fifty percent of the tax liability. The loss of revenue to the State cannot be determined until the “critical needs areas” are defined. Assuming that all Personal Income Tax returns claiming the credit would be accepted as filed, additional administrative costs for the State Tax Department would be minimal. The State Board of Education may also incur additional administrative costs associated with this bill.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2008
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2009
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 stated purpose of this bill is to authorize a tax credit for new teachers in critical needs areas. It requires the State Board of Education to determine standards defining “critical needs areas” in both subject areas and geographic areas. The tax credit for the first three years of employment in such an area shall equal the teachers’ liability for personal income taxes. If the teacher continues to teach in a critical needs area for another five years, the tax credit is equal to fifty percent of the tax liability. The State Tax Department does not have sufficient data to estimate the revenue loss to the State due to passage of this bill until the “critical needs areas” are defined. Assuming that all Personal Income Tax returns claiming the credit would be accepted as filed, additional administrative costs for the State Tax Department would be minimal. The State Board of Education may also incur additional administrative costs associated with this bill.



Memorandum


The stated purpose of this bill is to authorize a tax credit for new teachers in critical needs areas. It requires the State Board of Education to determine standards defining “critical needs areas” in both subject areas and geographic areas. The tax credit for the first three years of employment in such an area shall equal the teachers’ liability for personal income taxes. If the teacher continues to teach in a critical needs area for another five years, the tax credit is equal to fifty percent of the tax liability. The proposed bill has several concerns. First, the bill uses the term “new teacher” without a clear definition. Second, the proposed bill does not restrict the amount of the credit to income from teaching. Lastly, the proposed bill requires the State Board of Education to “develop standards applicable to defining critical needs areas” but does not provide any guidelines and/or restrictions on the Board in providing such a definition.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Mark Muchow
    Email Address: kpetry@tax.state.wv.us