OPINION ISSUED AUGUST 8, 1989
T.H. COMPTON, INC.
VS.
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
(CC-88-293)
Lucien G. Lewis, Attorney at Law, for claimant.
Lowell D. Greenwood, Assistant Attorney General, for respondent.
PER CURIAM:
This claim was submitted for decision based upon the allegations in the Notice of Claim and the
respondent Answer.
Claimant seeks $15,580.65 for excessive sales taxes paid on vehicles during the time period of 1984
through March of 1986. W.Va. Code §§17A-3-4 provides that "A tax is hereby imposed upon the
privilege of effecting the certification of title of each vehicle in the amount equal to five percent of
the value of said motor vehicle at the time of such certification..." In this instance the five percent
sales tax was erroneously computed based upon the total price of the vehicles inclusive of Federal
excise taxes, and, in some instances the West Virginia Gross tax, when the sales tax should have
been levied on the sales price exclusive of these additional taxes.
Respondent admits the validity of the claim, but states that the amount owed to claimant is
$12,377.24. Respondent further states that there is no fiscal method for respondent to make a refund
to the claimant.
Claimant has indicated its agreement to accept the sum of $12,377.24 as full settlement of its claim.
Therefore, the Court makes an award to claimant in the amount of $12,377.24.
Award of $12,377.24.