CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Future West Virginia lottery winners who owe past-due state taxes would see their prizes get lighter through a proposal advancing this legislative session.
The Senate Judiciary Committee endorsed a bill Tuesday that would have the Lottery Commission identify all winners to the state Tax Department. Individuals with delinquent taxes would lose at least part of their prizes to offset or reduce the amounts they owe.
The bill would only apply to taxes owed after this year. It also would not affect prizes collected from lottery retailers, but instead larger awards paid directly by the Lottery Commission.
Revenue officials estimate the measure would recoup $250,000 annually. The bill heads to the Senate Finance Committee. The House is also considering a version of the proposal.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
