Business Incentives

Corporate headquarters credit

Companies that relocate their corporate headquarters are eligible for tax credits.

Economic opportunity credit

Offsets up to 80 percent of taxes for up to 13 years. Minimum job requirement: 20.

"Five-for-ten" program

Provides a tax incentive to businesses that make qualified capital improvements of at least $50 million to an existing base of $100 million or more. It assesses the new capital addition at a salvage value of 5 percent for the first 10 years.

Manufacturing investment credit

Allows a 50 percent corporate net income tax credit and franchise tax credit based on investment with no new job creation required.

Manufacturing sales tax exemption

Materials and equipment purchased for direct use in manufacturing are exempt from the 6 percent state sales and use tax.

Strategic R&D credit

Allows for up to 100 percent tax offset for R&D projects. R&D expenses are exempt from sales tax.

Sales tax exemption for e-commerce vendors

Some computer-related sales of tangible personal property and services are exempt from the consumer sales and services tax.

High-growth business investment tax credit

This credit is equal to 50 percent of the qualified investment made in certain companies that have been certified by the tax commissioner as eligible for the Strategic R&D Tax Credit. An investor or investor ownership group may use up to $50,000 of credit per year.

Tourism Development Incentive

A company that invests in and operates a new or expanding tourism destination project may be eligible to retain some of the consumers' sales and services tax that it collects from its customers over a 10-year period on sales from operation of the tourism attraction or facility.

Tax increment financing

Allows increases in property tax associated with qualified economic development and public improvement projects to assist with their long-term financing.

Warehouse "Freeport" tax exemption

Goods in transit to an out-of-state destination are exempt from ad valorem property taxes when warehoused in West Virginia.

The Tourism Matching Advertising Partnership Program

(Administered by WV Division of Tourism) This is a reimbursable partnership program that provides matching funds for innovative and effective direct advertising projects that increase visitation and travel expenditures in the State of West Virginia impacting the economic growth of the travel industry.

Lodging Exemptions

For lodging stays in excess of thirty (30) consecutive days per person at the same facility, there is an exemption from the state Consumers Sales and Service Tax (6%) and exemption from the Local Hotel/Motel Tax (varies per region).