Coal Severance Tax

DID YOU KNOW .............

every coal mining job generates between 5 to 6 other jobs in the local economy?
a lump of coal is burned every time a book is ordered online?
West Virginia provides 50% of all American coal exports?
ninety-nine percent (99%) of West Virginia electricity is generated by coal, at an average cost of 5 cents per kilowatt/hour?
West Virginia coal is shipped to 33 states and the District of Columbia?

While not every county in West Virginia produces coal, all counties receive a severance tax paid by the coal industry. Upon every person within this state in the business of severing or preparing coal for sale, there is imposed an additional severance tax. This additional tax on coal is collected by the State Tax Commissioner and transferred into a special fund within the State Treasurer's Office. Seventy-five (75%) of the net proceeds is distributed to coal-producing counties. The remaining twenty-five (25%) of the net proceeds are distributed to all counties and municipalities of the state, based on their population, without regard to coal having been produced therein.

COAL SEVERANCE TAX DISTRIBUTIONS

Quarterly Distributions

	April 2010	June 2010	October 2009	January 2010
25% Portion Distributed to Counties and Municipalities	$1,757,947.57	$2,450,093.99	$1,907,419.40	$2,499,376.43
75% Portion Distributed to Coal Producing Counties	$5,273,843.39	$7,350,282.54	$5,722,258.20	$7,498,129.34
Total Funds Distributed	$7,031,790.96	$9,800,376.53	$7,295,991.45	$9,997,505.77