Proposed West Virginia Bill Would Tax Veterinary Services

The legislation levy an 8% sales tax on fees charged by veterinarians for any treatment of small and large animals.
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A measure pending in West Virginia’s legislature would aim to boost the state’s economy by taxing any veterinary service performed in that state. But some veterinarians oppose the bill on grounds that it could endanger animals.

Introduced into the State Senate on Feb. 16, SB 335 would amend the West Virginia tax code to levy an 8% sales tax on a range of goods sold and services performed in the state, including fees charged by veterinarians for any treatment of small and large animals.

Winfield, West Virginia-based Clara Mason, DVM, a member of both the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners welfare committees, believes the measure targets veterinarians in the state and puts animals as risk.

“People, especially those in rural parts of the state, can ill afford to have their veterinary bills be any higher than they already are,” she said. “So an owner who relies on the livestock is not going to call a veterinarian if an animal gets sick and needs treatment

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Written by:

Pat Raia is a veteran journalist who enjoys covering equine welfare, industry, and news. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her Tennessee Walking Horse, Sonny.

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