This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by introducing a new article that prohibits counties and municipalities from double-taxing residential rental properties. The legislation emphasizes the importance of keeping rent affordable for West Virginia residents, asserting that landlords can only maintain reasonable rental prices if they are not subjected to additional taxes by local governments. The new provisions include stipulations that all taxes on residential rental properties must be assessed at the same rate as owner-occupied housing and that no extra property taxes can be levied based on zoning.

Additionally, the bill allows for the commission to establish necessary rules to implement these provisions, including procedures for property assessment changes and classification forms for reporting. It clarifies that the new article does not affect the assessment of sales and service taxes for businesses. Overall, the bill seeks to create a more equitable tax structure for residential rental properties, ultimately benefiting tenants by lowering their rental costs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 11A-5-1, 11A-5-2, 11A-5-3