Overview of West Virginia Taxes
West Virginia has a progressive, five-bracket state income tax system with rates ranging from 2.36% to 5.12%. This top rate has been right around the nationwide average but was cut in 2023. The state's tax brackets are determined by both income level and filing status.
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West Virginia Paycheck Calculator
West Virginia Paycheck Quick Facts
- West Virginia income tax rate: 2.36% - 5.12%
- Median household income: $55,217 (U.S. Census Bureau)
- Number of cities that have local income taxes: 0 (4 municipalities have City Service User Fees that range from $2 per week to $10 per pay period)
How Your West Virginia Paycheck Works
Figuring out exactly how much you will get on pay-day is challenging because your employer withholds taxes from each of your paychecks. If you pay for other benefits, like healthcare, those payments will also come out of your paychecks. Here’s a breakdown of what, exactly, is coming out of your paychecks.
In West Virginia, your employer withholds money from your paychecks to pay for federal and state income taxes. How much you pay in federal income taxes depends on a variety of factors, including your salary, marital status and if you choose to have an additional dollar withholding. All of this information is on your W-4 form, which is how your employer knows how much to withhold.
A couple of things to note is that withholding calculations and the Form W-4 have recently changed at the federal level. The form's new version removes the option of claiming allowances and substitutes it with a five-step process that asks filers to enter personal information, claim dependents and indicate any additional income or jobs.
Social Security and Medicare taxes will also come out of each paycheck. These taxes are withheld in accordance with the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), so you’ll hear them referred to as FICA taxes. Social Security tax is 12.4% of an employee’s wages. Half of this amount comes directly from your paycheck, leaving your employer responsible for the remaining 6.2%. Medicare taxes work in the same way. You pay 1.45% of your salary and your employer supplies the other half.
Though most workers are only responsible for half of their FICA taxes, self-employed individuals and independent contractors must pay all of their own FICA taxes. Luckily, there is a deduction available during tax season so that self-employed workers can recoup some of the “employer” portion of their FICA taxes.
Going beyond federal, state and FICA taxes, your paycheck may be lower if you've made contributions toward a health savings account (HSA) or if you pay any premiums for an employer-sponsored health insurance plan. This holds true for retirement contributions to a 401(k) or 403(b), as well.
The frequency of your pay also impacts the size of your paycheck. If you get paid bi-weekly, your checks will be smaller but more frequent than if you get paid monthly.
West Virginia has a progressive state income tax with rates from 3% to 6.50%, depending on taxpayers’ income level and filing status. Within the five-bracket system, single filers, joint filers and heads of household earning under $10,000 in taxable income pay 3% in state taxes. The top tax rate of 6.50% applies to taxable income over $60,000 for these filers. The rates are the same for married people filing separately, but the income levels are halved. Compared with other states' income tax rates, West Virginia falls near the middle of the pack.
While no cities in West Virginia have a local income tax, several of them apply local City Service User Fees, which are deducted from the paychecks of people who work in those cities. Employers deduct these fees from your wages whether you’re a resident of the city or not and regardless of the number of hours you work. Self-employed workers are responsible for paying this fee themselves.
Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg and Weirton impose these fees on people working within their city limits. Weirton charges the lowest fee at $2 per pay period. Workers in Parkersburg pay $5 per pay period, Charleston have a fee of $6 per pay period, and Huntington charges a fee of $10 per pay period. It's noteworthy that these fees do not appear on workers' tax forms in the way that local income taxes do.
A financial advisor can help you understand how taxes fit into your overall financial goals. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
How You Can Affect Your West Virginia Paycheck
If you consistently find yourself owing money to the IRS in April, you may want to take a look over your W-4 form. You could opt to have an additional dollar amount withheld from each of your paychecks if you are concerned about having to pay a bill during tax time. Let's say you want $50 withheld from each check. You can indicate that amount on your W-4, and your employer will withhold that amount from each paycheck going forward.
West Virginians also have the option of contributing to accounts like a 401(k) or HSA. The money you put into these accounts is deducted from your paycheck prior to taxes being applied, so by upping your contribution to these accounts, you are lowering your taxable income, which could help to reduce how much you owe in taxes.
If you are planning a move to West Virginia, understanding a new income tax code is just one of the many things you’ll have to think about. Our West Virginia mortgage guide has all the details about getting a mortgage in the Mountain State. It also offers information on mortgages for refinancing properties.
