WHEELING, W.Va. — Taxes are changing in Wheeling.
On Tuesday, Wheeling’s City Council approved a .5 percent addition to the sales tax, reduced the business and occupation taxes for retailers by 26 percent and eliminated the business and occupation taxes for manufacturers.
“The B&O tax is the most archaic tax in the state of West Virginia, but still in the City of Wheeling we need to have a police force, a fire department, an inspection department and (have) infrastructure needs,” said Mayor Andy McKenzie.
McKenzie said the addition to the sales tax will help offset the losses that will come with the reduction and elimination of the B&O taxes. The additional $1.4 million that could be generated with the increase would then be put into addressing Wheeling’s infrastructure needs.
Renovations to WesBanco Arena are on that list.
“The dollars that we’re generating with the sales tax are going to go right back into the community, right into the neighborhoods with infrastructure needs,” said McKenzie.
He said helping business will help his entire city. “The B&O is an anti-job creator. It does not allow businesses to grow and create investment and jobs in the City of Wheeling,” said McKenzie.
The sales tax increase will take effect on Oct. 1. The changes to the B&O taxes kick in next April.