West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

West Virginia Senate Bill SB 169

Introduced
1/14/26  

Caption

Creating tax credit related to child care expenses

Summary

SB 169 would create a new state tax credit tied to child care expenses. Based on the bill caption, the measure is intended to reduce the tax burden on individuals or families who pay for child care, likely by allowing a credit against state income tax for qualifying expenses. The bill text itself was not available in the provided materials, so the exact eligibility rules, credit amount, and administration details cannot be confirmed from the record here. In practical terms, the bill would affect the state tax code by adding a child care-related credit and would likely benefit working parents and guardians who incur child care costs. Depending on the final language, it could also affect the Department of Revenue’s tax administration responsibilities and potentially interact with existing child care assistance or dependent care provisions.

Impact

SB 169 would amend state tax law to authorize a new child care expense tax credit, creating a direct tax benefit for eligible taxpayers and reducing state revenue to the extent the credit is claimed. The measure would primarily affect families with child care costs, and it could also require the tax agency to define qualifying expenses, verify eligibility, and implement claim procedures. Because the bill text was not provided, the precise statutory sections to be amended are not identifiable from the available record.

Sentiment

There is limited recorded discussion in the materials provided, so the overall sentiment cannot be measured from committee debate or floor remarks. The caption and referral suggest the bill was treated as a health and human resources-related measure, which is consistent with a generally supportive policy goal of helping families afford child care. No votes or transcript excerpts were provided showing formal support or opposition.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. In bills of this type, common areas of debate include the cost to the state treasury, whether the credit should be refundable, income eligibility limits, and how narrowly child care expenses should be defined. However, none of those issues are confirmed here because no committee transcript or vote record was included.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

WV SB218

Creating tax credit related to child care expenses

WV SB697

Creating Caregiver Tax Credit Act

WV SB217

Authorizing child or child care tax credit

WV SB221

Authorizing child or child care tax credit

WV HB3345

Caregiver Tax Credit

WV HB2605

Increase the tax credit for employers providing child care for employees.

WV HB2952

To allow a refundable child tax credit for all eligible for the federal tax credit

WV HB2913

To allow a $1,000 refundable child tax credit for all eligible for the federal tax credit

WV SB640

Relating to number of children who may be in family child care home

WV SB78

Providing tax credit to corporations for existing employer-provided child care facilities

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.