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West Virginia Officials Debunk Viral Social Media Claim About Vehicle Tax Elimination
Wood County officials are working to counter a misleading social media post that has gained significant traction across West Virginia, falsely claiming that vehicle property taxes have been eliminated in the state.
Wood County Assessor John Kelly addressed the county commission Thursday about a Facebook post that has been shared over 1,000 times, creating confusion among residents statewide who believe it represents actual legislation.
“It is pretty confusing,” Kelly told commissioners. “It has gone viral and it has had over 1,000 shares.”
The post incorrectly states that West Virginia House Bill 2601 was passed during the last legislative session and signed into law. According to the false claim, the legislation eliminates personal property tax on all motor vehicles beginning in 2026, while providing a full income tax credit for 2025 payments.
“This landmark legislation, introduced in the 2025 legislative session, allows West Virginians to stop paying upfront property taxes on their cars, trucks and motorcycles, receiving a full refund via their state income tax return instead,” the viral post claims.
Kelly clarified that the referenced bill never became law. While HB 2601 was indeed introduced and referred to the House Finance Committee during the 2025 legislative session, it subsequently died in committee with no action taken.
“It basically says that the personal property tax on all vehicles has been eliminated which it hasn’t been,” Kelly explained. “It is all BS.”
Despite official corrections, assessors’ offices throughout West Virginia have been fielding numerous calls from residents inquiring about the supposed tax change. In some cases, residents refuse to believe officials when told the information is false.
“They have been flooded with questions about it,” Kelly said, referring to assessors across the state. “We can verify that it has not passed.”
Kelly further explained that even if such legislation had passed, eliminating personal property taxes in West Virginia would require a constitutional amendment. Such a measure would need approval through a statewide vote in the November 2026 General Election.
The rapid spread of misinformation has created administrative challenges for local government offices. “This thing is going viral all over Facebook,” Kelly noted. “We had people who came into our office Wednesday asking about it. It is a bad situation where you have someone putting out really bad information.”
Commissioner Jimmy Colombo acknowledged the broader issue of social media misinformation, comparing it to false rumors that frequently circulate in sports news. “That happens a million times a day,” Colombo said. “It is sad how people manipulate words.”
The situation highlights growing concerns about the role of social platforms in disseminating false information that impacts public services and creates unnecessary work for government officials. While acknowledging that social media can be a powerful communication tool, Kelly expressed frustration at its misuse.
“Unfortunately we have a lot of people who misuse it and spread misinformation,” he said. “In this case, someone put really bad information out and they shared it and it keeps getting shared and it has gone viral. It just isn’t true.”
County officials want residents to know they can contact the Wood County Assessor’s office directly with questions about property taxes rather than relying on unverified social media posts. This incident serves as a reminder for citizens to verify information through official government channels, especially regarding tax policies and legal changes that could affect their finances.
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10 Comments
While social media can be a powerful tool for sharing information, it’s crucial that we verify claims before spreading them. I’m glad the Wood County Assessor is taking the time to correct this misleading post and provide the facts.
Misleading posts about tax policy changes are problematic. I appreciate the Assessor taking the time to address this and set the record straight. It’s a good reminder to always check official sources for accurate information.
Absolutely. Fact-checking is essential, especially on issues that can directly impact people’s finances. Kudos to the officials for being proactive in correcting the false claims.
Spreading misinformation, even unintentionally, can have real consequences. I commend the Wood County Assessor for addressing this issue proactively and working to ensure residents have accurate information about tax policies.
Absolutely. Fact-checking and transparency from local authorities is so important, especially on issues that can impact people’s finances. This is a good example of responsible governance.
It’s concerning to see false information spreading on social media. I’m glad the Wood County Assessor is working to correct these misleading claims about vehicle tax elimination. Fact-checking is so important, especially around policy changes that could impact taxpayers.
Agreed. Social media can be a powerful tool, but it’s crucial that people verify information before sharing it widely. Spreading unverified claims can create a lot of confusion.
It’s concerning to see misinformation gaining traction online, especially around something as important as taxation policies. I appreciate the efforts of the Wood County Assessor to provide accurate information and address the confusion.
Yes, it’s a good reminder that we all have a role to play in combating the spread of false information. Fact-checking and using authoritative sources is key, especially on issues that can directly impact people’s lives.
This highlights the importance of responsible social media use. While viral posts can spread quickly, it’s critical to verify information before sharing, especially on topics like taxation. I’m glad the authorities are working to counter the misinformation.