Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on April 23 signed Executive Order No. 7-12, extending tax relief to flood victims in Logan and Mingo counties following severe storms and floods that hit the region in late February.
Taxpayers in nine other West Virginia counties have already received similar tax relief. Executive Order No. 7-12 suspends the consumer sales and service tax and use tax on purchase and use of certain building construction materials and supplies, mobile homes, house trailers, modular homes and similar units that would "substantially improve efforts to provide needed housing" to storm victims. The order also suspends the consumer sales tax and service tax and use tax on purchases related to the restoration or reconstruction of storm-damaged properties in the affected counties.
"Storm-damaged communities around the state continue to rebuild and therefore, we must provide needed tax relief to help them move forward," Tomblin said. "I am happy to provide this tax relief to bring additional support to the people of Logan and Mingo counties as the recovery process continues and normalcy returns."
Executive Order No. 3-12 originally included Doddridge, Harrison, Lincoln, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Ritchie, Taylor and Wayne counties and authorized a tax exemption on eligible purchases made on or after March 12 and on or before June 14.
The new order is retroactive, meaning people in Logan and Mingo counties can seek tax relief for purchases made on or after March 12.
To take advantage of the tax exemption, taxpayers need to file an exemption certificate and attach a verification document to the completed certificate. In the case of mobile home purchases, the purchaser should attach a copy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Housing Assistance Letter addressed to the person that was rendered homeless by the flooding. In the case of purchases of building materials or other supplies, the purchaser must attach a copy of the FEMA Housing Assistance Letter or copy of proof of settlement of an insurance claim for flood damage or an insurance adjuster's record of damage inspection.
State Tax Commission Craig Griffith said his department supports the governor's measures to provide relief to storm victims.
"We fully support Gov. Tomblin's actions to suspend the sales tax for certain items," Griffith said. "Citizens in these 11 counties are working tirelessly to recover, and we hope this relief can help ease the burden."
The exemption certificate is available at www.wvtax.gov or any State Tax Department office.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WVNS. All Rights Reserved.
