Business Tax Relief on West Virginia Governor’s 2020 Agenda

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) renewed his call for eliminating the state property tax on business inventory, citing competitive issues.

“The business inventory and machinery tax is holding us back in some areas,” Justice said Jan. 8 in his annual State of the State Address. “I would like it gone,” he told lawmakers.

The governor, legislative leaders, and business groups say West Virginia is one of the few states that impose the tax on business property and it hurts the state’s ability to attract business investment and jobs. Depending on whether it’s repealed across the board or just ...