779.13 EXEMPTIONS.
   No annual exemption shall be allowable for any taxable periods ending on or after January 1, 2003.
   The provisions of the article shall not apply to:
   (a)   Insurance companies which pay the State a tax upon premiums, provided that such exemption shall not extend to that part of the gross income of insurance companies which is received for the use of real property, other than property in which any such company maintains its office or offices, in this City, whether such income is in the form of rentals or royalties;
   (b)   Nonprofit cemetery companies organized and operated for the exclusive benefit of their members;
   (c)   Fraternal societies, organizations and associations organized and operated for the exclusive benefit of their members and not for profit, provided, however, that such exemption shall not extend to that part of the gross income arising from the sale of alcoholic liquor, food and related services, of such fraternal societies, organizations and associations which are licensed as private clubs under the provisions of West Virginia Code Article 60-7;
   (d)   Corporations, associations and societies organized and operated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes;
   (e)   Production credit associations, organized under the provisions of the federal "Farm Credit Act of 1933", provided, however, that the exemptions of this section shall not apply to corporations or cooperative associations organized under the provisions of West Virginia Code Article 19-4.
      (Ord. 0-1052. Passed 1-14-03.)
   (f)   Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any new business locating within the corporate limits of the City after the effective date of this section shall be granted a credit and exemption from the imposition of the business and occupation tax imposed by this article as follows:
      (1)   Any such new business which at its commencement creates five (5) or more jobs (full-time equivalent) and maintains said jobs for the four (4) year length of the program shall be granted such credit and exemptions as follows:
         A.   An eighty percent (80%) tax credit against the business and occupation tax liability for a period of one (1) year from the commencement of such business;
         B.   A sixty percent (60%) tax credit against the business and occupation tax liability for the second year;
         C.   A forty percent (40%) tax credit against the business and occupation tax liability for the third year; and
         D.   A twenty percent (20%) tax credit against the business and occupation tax liability for the fourth year.
      (2)   Any other such new business shall be granted such credit and exemptions as follows:
         A.   A one hundred percent (100%) credit against the business and occupation tax liability for a period of one (1) year from the commencement of such new business.
         Provided, however, the claim for such exemption shall be made by such new business prior to the date the first payment of such tax would otherwise be due and such claim shall be made to the Director of Finance in writing upon forms prepared by the Director. The provisions of this exemption shall not relieve any taxpayer from the obligation to file business and occupation tax returns as required by this article. It is further the legislative intent of this section that the credit granted herein is for the purpose of providing an incentive for new businesses to locate within the City. (Ord. 0-1429. Passed 10-23-12.)
   (g)   Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, any new business located within the enterprise zone of the City after the effective date hereof shall be granted a credit and exemption from the imposition of the business and occupation tax imposed by this article, for a period of two years from the commencement of such business. It is the legislative intent of this section that the credit is granted herein for the purposes of providing an incentive for new businesses and which is authorized by enabling legislation set forth in West Virginia Code 8-13-5(f). It is also the legislative intent of this section that the credit be granted only if the City is accepted as an enterprise zone by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
   (h)   Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, any existing business located in territory annexed by the City after the effective date of this section shall be granted a credit and exemption from the imposition of the business and occupation tax imposed by this article for a period of five years from the date of annexation of such existing business. Provided, however, the claim for such exemption shall be made by such existing business prior to the date the first payment of such tax would otherwise be due and such claim shall be made to the Director of Finance in writing upon forms prepared by the Director. The provisions of this exemption shall not relieve any taxpayer from the obligation to file business and occupation tax returns as required by this article. It is further the legislative intent of this section that the credit granted herein is for the purpose of providing an incentive for existing businesses annexed into the City. (Ord. 0-1052. Passed 1-14-03.)
   (i)   Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, any new or existing business locating in territory annexed by the City on or after April 1, 2021, shall be granted a credit and exemption from the imposition of the business and occupation tax imposed by this article for construction of new buildings, and/or renovation and maintenance of existing buildings within the annexed territory for a period of five years from the date a new business is commenced, or the date of annexation, whichever is later. It is the intent of this provision that the exemption as herein provided extends to any contractor, subcontractor, or supplier of the new business. Any new or existing business located in territory annexed by the City on or after April 1, 2021, shall be entitled to the same exemptions as set forth in subsection 779.13(a) hereof. It is further the legislative intent of this section that the credit granted herein is for the purpose of providing an incentive for new businesses locating in newly annexed areas of the City. (Ord. 0-1678. Passed 3-9-21.)
   (j)   Any and all sales made by any vendor registered and authorized to sell approved items in the area designated by the City as the Parkersburg Public Market (Farmers') but only for such sales as are made by such vendors within said designated area.
      (Ord. 0-1306. Passed 6-24-08.)
   (k)   Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, any owner of residential property within the City shall be granted an exemption from the imposition of the Business and Occupation Tax imposed by this article for construction of new residential structures up to the first two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00) for each such structure
      It is the intent of this provision that the exemption as herein provided extends to any contractor, subcontractor, or supplier to any such owner. It is further the legislative intent of this section that the credit granted herein is for the purpose of providing an incentive for new residential construction within the City. (Ord. 0-1678. Passed 3-9-21.)
   (l)   There is hereby granted an exemption applicable to the tax due and payable on and after July 1, 2022, for the benefit of all businesses required to pay the tax under this Article, in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200.00) per quarter.
      (Ord. 0-1708. Passed 6-28-22.)