West Virginia’s franchise tax no longer exists. The state scrapped the Business Franchise Tax for tax years starting after January 1, 2015, so you won't file or pay this tax anymore. What you might still encounter, however, are outdated references on old forms that suggest you still owe this money.
Back when it existed, the franchise tax worked like a net worth tax. You calculated it on your company's capital base, applied a 0.7% rate, and paid at least $50, even during short tax years. Corporations, corporate-taxed LLCs, and many partnerships filed the combined CNF-120 return that handled both franchise and income tax calculations.
Today, every business operating in West Virginia pays a registration fee that varies by entity type (usually $100 or more) to get a Business Registration Certificate. Your ongoing obligations include the 6.5% corporate income tax, an annual Secretary of State report, plus sales, employment, and industry taxes that might apply to your business.
Beyond the defunct franchise tax, West Virginia still expects a steady stream of other state-level taxes. This includes:
All these taxes exist alongside the Secretary of State's annual report, due June 30 each year. Missing either obligation can knock your business out of good standing, so organize all due dates in a single calendar.
West Virginia repealed its franchise tax, but businesses still face corporate income tax, pass-through entity filings, sales tax obligations, and annual Secretary of State compliance requirements.
While Discern can't help you with the corporate income tax, we can automate your West Virginia annual report deadlines, manage your registered agent requirements, and handle Secretary of State compliance across all states where you operate. Ready to simplify your West Virginia compliance? Book a demo with Discern today.
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