West Virginia Tax Incentives
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West Virginia Tax Incentives
Page Contents
- Building Bridges in the Workforce
- Business Assistance
- Competitive Improvement Program
- Construction Trades Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit
- Corporate Headquarters Relocation Credit
- Direct Loan Program
- Division of Rehabilitation Services
- Division of Rehabilitation Services Offices
- Employer Services
- Economic Opportunity Tax Credit
- Governor's Guaranteed Work Force
- Jobs Creation Tax Credit
- Microsoft Accessibility Resource Center
- Military Incentive Program
- On-The-Job Training
- Small Business Tax Credit
- Tax Credits and Hiring Incentives - Division of Rehabilitation Services
- Virtual Loan Library
- West Virginia Assistive Technology System
- West Virginia Certified Development Corporation
- West Virginia Development Office
- West Virginia Economic Development Authority
- West Virginia Venture Capital - West Virginia Capital
Building Bridges in the Workforce
This is an employer resource guide published by the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services, whose goal is to assist business owners and employers find solutions to disability-related employment issues. The Division of Rehabilitation Services can provide a business with critical options in the areas of staffing, education and tapping into financial incentives associated with hiring an individual with a disability.
Businesses Assistance
The business assistance website discusses the advantages of expanding or locating a business in West Virginia. It also lists various loan programs and other financial assistance available to West Virginia businesses.
Competitive Improvement Program
West Virginia’s Competitive Improvement Program helps existing businesses that may not be in a hiring mode train and/or retrain their employees, thus stimulating their global competitiveness, as well as address critical workforce issues through customized training.
Under this program, the West Virginia Development Office can reimburse up to fifty percent, not to exceed two thousand dollars per trainee, of training cost of existing employers in West Virginia businesses that are not in an expansion mode, but have a need for workforce training for existing employees.
This program can help workers with disabilities receive needed training so they can remain a vital part of West Virginia’s workforce.
Competitive Improvement Program PDF
Construction Trades Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit
Tax credit of $2.00 per hour x total number of hours worked by an apprentice during the tax year, not to exceed the lesser of $2,000 or 50% of the actual wages paid for the apprenticeship. The training program is to consist of at least 2,000 hours, but not more than 10,000 hours of on-the-job training. The tax credit offsets the business franchise tax, corporate net income tax and personal income tax.
The apprentice who benefits from this tax credit could be a person with a disability who is able to do construction work.
Construction Trades Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit PDF
Corporate Headquarters Relocation Credit
Companies that relocate their corporate headquarters to West Virginia are eligible for tax credits if 15 new jobs (including relocated employees) are created within the first year. The credit can offset up to 100 percent of the tax liability for business and occupation tax, corporate net income tax, and personal income tax on certain pass- through income, for a period of up to 13 years.
Some of the jobs create as a result of a corporation relocating to West Virginia could be filled by employees with disabilities.
Corporate Headquarters Relocation Credit PDF
Direct Loan Program
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority can provide up to 45 percent in financing fixed assets by providing low-interest, direct loans to expanding state businesses and firms locating in West Virginia. Loan term is generally 15 years for real estate intensive projects and five to 10 years for equipment projects. Loan proceeds may be used for the acquisition of land, buildings and equipment. Working capital loans and the refinancing of existing debt are not eligible.
Purchasing a workspace that is ADA compliant is an appropriate use of this loan.
Division of Rehabilitation Services
The West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) helps people with disabilities determine and reach their vocational goals. The primary goal for all DRS clients is to become productive working citizens.
Division of Rehabilitation Services Offices
This website has a map of West Virginia divided into 6 districts. Click on a district to get the locations and contact information DRS offices in that district.
Economic Opportunity Tax Credit
For qualified companies that create at least 20 new jobs within specified time limits (10 jobs in the case of qualified small businesses) as a result of their business expansion projects, the State’s Economic Opportunity Tax Credit can offset up to 80 percent of the corporate net income tax and personal income tax (on flow through income only) attributable to qualified investment. If a qualified company that creates the requisite number of jobs pays an annual median wage higher than the statewide average non-farm payroll wage, then the qualified company can offset up to 100 percent of the corporate net income tax and personal income tax (on flow through income only) attributable to qualified investment.
For qualified businesses creating less than 20 new jobs within specified time limits, or for a qualified small business creating less than 10 new jobs, a $3,000 credit is allowed per new full-time job for five years, providing the new job pays at least $32,000 per year and the employee has employer- provided health insurance benefits. The $32,000 figure is adjusted annually for cost of living.
Qualified businesses include only those engaged in the activities of manufacturing, information processing, warehousing, non-retail goods distribution, qualified research and development, the relocation of a corporate headquarters, or destination-oriented recreation and tourism.
The goal of this tax credit is to establish employment opportunities in West Virginia. Some of these opportunities could be for workers with disabilities.
Economic Opportunity Tax Credit PDF
Employers Services
DRS employment specialists help employers find qualified job candidates who will meet their workforce needs. Providing a comprehensive and coordinated employment agenda is one goal of DRS. These services benefit employers and job seekers alike.
This website lists and describes the services DRS offers West Virginia businesses who wish to employ workers with disabilities.
Governor's Guaranteed Work Force
The Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force Program attracts new enterprises to West Virginia and encourages the growth and expansion of the state’s existing companies. The program provides training and technical assistance to support effective employee training strategies.
With the help of this program, workers with disabilities can upgrade their vocational skills for career advancement.
Governor's Guaranteed Work Force Program Guidelines PDF
Small Business Workforce Program Guidelines PDF
Jobs Creation Tax Credit
A qualified business creating less than 20 new jobs for a regular business & less than 10 new jobs for a qualified small business, receives a tax credit of $3,000 per year for each new job created, for a period of 5 years. To qualify, the new jobs must be full-time, pay a minimum salary of $33,250 (in 2012), and offer health benefits.
Some of the jobs created as a result of this provision could be occupied by employees with disabilities.
Jobs Creation Tax Credit Guide PDF
Microsoft Accessibility Resource Center
Microsoft Accessibility Resource Centers show what is possible with accessible technology solutions available on computers running Windows operating systems. These centers are designed to meet a variety of needs including reduced eyesight, wrist/arm discomfort, hearing loss and other disabilities. These centers demonstrate accessibility options and assistive technology products that can add to an individual's computer skills and proficiency.
Military Incentive Program Act of 1991
Military Incentive Program is an employer tax incentive program designed to promote the employment of Korean, Vietnam-era, and disabled veterans, as well as unemployed National Guard members and Reservists. Tax credits are based on a percentage of the first $5,000 in wages paid to the individual after one continuous year of employment.
Military Incentive Program PDF
On-The-Job Training
On-the-Job Training provides unique opportunities for participants to "learn" as they earn." By participating in training as an employee, the participant not only acquires new skills and knowledge, but also receives the same wages and benefits as current employees in same or similar positions. The employer benefits by being reimbursed for part of the participant’s wages during the training period, while having the services of a full-time employee.
The employees who receive training from this program can be people with disabilities who may need a skills upgrade to succeed in West Virginia’s workforce.
Small Business Tax Credit
An eligible small business Taxpayer is allowed a credit in the manner described above for the general Economic Opportunity Tax Credit, except that the small business must create at least 10 new WV jobs within 12 months, rather than 20 new jobs within 3 years. If the qualified small business creates at least 10 qualified new jobs, the small business may receive a credit equal to 10% of its qualified investment. Small business is defined as one having gross receipts of $8,507,850 (for 2011). This number is adjusted for inflation each year.
Small businesses can use this tax credit as an incentive to set up new jobs, especially for people with disabilities.
Tax Credits and Hiring Incentives - Division of Rehabilitation Services
The Division of Rehabilitative Services can show a business how financial incentives can help it employ people with disabilities and develop a progressive and proactive approach to ensuring accessibility for employees and customers with disabilities.
There are three federal tax incentives available to assist employers with the expense of accommodations for employees with disabilities and to assist with the cost of making their place of business accessible to employees and customers with disabilities. The 3 provisions are:
- Work Opportunity Tax credit
- Disabled Access Tax credit
- Barrier Removal Deduction
A brief description of each credit along with the forms needed to apply for them.
Virtual Loan Library
The WVATS AT4ALL system is a free online service to list and find assistive technology devices and durable medical equipment in West Virginia.
West Virginia Assistive Technology System
The West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) is the designated lead agency that works to enhance the lives of all West Virginia residents with disabilities. By providing access to and help with the acquisition of assistive technology devices and services, WVATS can offer West Virginians with disabilities an opportunity for choice, control and independence at work and school.
Assistive technology (AT) can enable people who have disabilities or have difficulty using standard equipment, obtain employment or keep working. AT used for employment can range from alternative keyboards to height adjustable workstations and communication devices.
West Virginia Certified Development Corporation (Small Business Administration 504 Loan)
The purpose of this loan is to create or retain jobs by providing fixed asset financing to help small businesses purchase, construct or expand their facilities. This includes the purchase of fixed equipment. The SBA will participate up to 40% of the eligible project costs on a subordinated basis.
Businesses can use this loan to purchase or make their workspace ADA compliant, thus allowing for more employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
West Virginia Certified Development Corporation PDF
West Virginia Development Office
This website has useful information for West Virginia businesses. The mission of the West Virginia Development Office is to improve the quality of life for all West Virginians by strengthening its communities and expanding the state’s economy to create more and better jobs.
West Virginia Economic Development Authority
West Virginia Economic Development Authority is charged with the responsibility to develop and advance the business prosperity and economic welfare of the State of West Virginia, by providing and operating leases to industrial development agencies and enterprises for the promotion and retention of new and existing commercial and industrial development.
West Virginia Venture Capital - West Virginia Capital Company Act
The West Virginia Economic Development Authority administers a program that provides for debt and equity venture capital investment to small business. A number of firms are qualified in West Virginia to make venture capital investments. Their contact information may be found on this website.
Proceeds from this type of financial assistance can be used to create jobs for workers with disabilities.
