West Virginia

Poor Families in West Virginia Are Hit Harder by the Income Tax Than Those in Other States

 

West Virginia’s 1999 income tax threshold — the income level at which families begin paying income tax:	Ranking among 42 states with income taxes
For two-parent families of four: $10,000.	7th lowest (tie)
For single-parent families of three: $10,000.	10th lowest (tie)
West Virginia’s 1999 income tax on working-poor and near-poor families:
For families of four with incomes at the poverty line ($17,028): $272.	8th highest
For families of three with incomes at the poverty line ($13,290): $218.	7th highest
For families of three with minimum-wage earnings ($10,712): $143.	4th highest
For families of four with incomes at 125% of the poverty line ($21,285): $430.	10th highest
For families of three with incomes at 125% of the poverty line ($16,613): $326.	11th highest
West Virginia has consistently taxed families with incomes below the poverty line. West Virginia’s tax threshold for families of four increased in 1996, but remains well below the poverty line. Taxes on a family of four with poverty level income increased between 1994 and 1999. In 1991, a family of four owed tax when its income exceeded 57 percent of the poverty line.  For 1999, West Virginia’s tax threshold is 59 percent of the poverty line.