All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Bill to exempt Social Security benefits from income tax approved in committee

West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston
West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Finance Committee of the House of Delegates on Monday approved a bill to exempt Social Security benefits from the state’s income tax.

If passed, House Bill 2001 would provide West Virginia seniors an estimated $50 million in tax relief over the coming fiscal year. The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.

“This bill will provide our seniors with much-needed tax relief and give them greater financial security during their retirement years,” said Finance Committee Chairman Eric Householder, R-Berkeley.

West Virginia is one of just 13 states to tax Social Security income. This bill would exempt all Social Security income received on or after Jan. 1, 2019 from the state’s income tax.

“This bill is not just about providing tax relief, it’s also a matter of fundamental fairness,” Householder said. “The government took this money out of our hard-working citizens’ paychecks all their lives, and I think it’s wrong that we should tax it again when they finally reap the benefits. Ending this double-taxation on Social Security dollars will send a signal that West Virginia respects its taxpayers.”

Householder said Gov. Jim Justice had already factored the elimination of the Social Security income tax into his Fiscal Year 2020 budget proposal, so lawmakers will not have to make up that revenue when they work to pass the budget later this year.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 2, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local organizations plan events and clinics — including a big July 4th celebration — and several community initiatives aim to engage residents of all ages.

Emergency agencies stress need for coordinated incident plans during large events with road closures

Emergency officials emphasized the need for incident action plans and coordination with public safety agencies for large events that close major streets, citing upcoming car shows and other street-closure events to ensure fast, safe emergency responses.
BUHS Sports

B-U now in Class AAAA in all sports; moved to new South Region after WVSSAC restructuring

Buckhannon-Upshur High School will compete in Class AAAA — the highest division — for all sports and has been moved to the new South Region under a two-year realignment by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: July 3, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will meet July 3, 2025, with an agenda set to discuss organizational matters and upcoming events.

Buckhannon Waste Board Agenda: July 3, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Waste Collection Board has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting on July 3, 2025.

Woman arrested on six felony charges after allegedly shooting at a man in Upshur County

Jocelyn M. Krum, 28, of Charleston, was arrested on six felony charges after allegedly entering a Mt. Lebanon Road residence in Upshur County with a rifle and shooting at a man before fleeing the scene.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 11 to 21 years for Bailey Ridge Road shootout

Austin W. Arbogast, 26, was sentenced to 11 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from a March 2024 shootout on Bailey Ridge Road while attempting to retrieve his child.

Mountain East Conference extends invitation to Shawnee State University

The Mountain East Conference has approved Shawnee State University as its 12th full-time member, with the school set to join in 2026 pending NCAA Division II acceptance and expanding league competition in 19 sports.
Davis and Elkins College

Davis & Elkins College students recognized for high academic honors for Spring 2025 semester

Davis & Elkins College has announced the Spring 2025 president’s list, for students earning 4.0 GPAs, and dean’s list, for those earning 3.6 to 3.99, honoring academic excellence campus-wide.