The Death Tax Issue
WHAT VIRGINIA'S DEATH TAX REPEAL LEGISLATION DOES
- Saves family farms and family-owned businesses and keeps taxpaying families
and job producing businesses in Virginia, thereby fostering economic growth.
- Prevents families from having to liquidate their businesses and farms and
lay-off employees.
- Fully conforms Virginia to federal law in 2004, thereby bringing Virginia
into line with the at least 30 states that are phasing out the unfair Death
Tax, and eliminates the Virginia Death Tax entirely.
- Passing this legislation will avoid the automatic tax increase that will
be imposed on Virginians by operation of the federal and state Death Tax laws.
- If Virginia fails to pass this legislation, much of Virginia's Death Tax
revenue and other state and local revenue will be lost as taxpaying families
and job-producing businesses leave the state.
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VIRGINIA'S DEATH TAX COMPARED TO OTHER STATES
In 2005, Virginia will be one of only a handful of states that will continue
to collect a state Death Tax. Virginia's Death Tax will continue to be as high
as 16% of everything you own. Estates in at least 30 other states will be paying
nothing after 2005. Click
here for map.
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HISTORY OF THE EFFORT TO REPEAL VIRGINIA'S DEATH TAX
Delegate Bob Tata (R-Va Beach) introduced legislation to repeal the tax first
in 2002. Then, following the outcry from farming and business communities and
everyday citizens, legislation to repeal Virginia's unfair death tax was passed
by both the House and Senate. Delegates Tata and Bob McDonnell (R - Va Beach)
and Sen. Tommy Norment (R - Williamsburg) led the charge by introducing the
legislation for the 2003 session. The Governor vetoed the bi-partisan legislation
and while the House dismissed the veto by overriding it, the in the Senate we
fell two votes shy of an override. This year, consensus continues to develop
that the unfair death tax should be repealed for the good of Virginia's job-producing
family-owned businesses and family farms.
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WHO IS HELPING ELIMINATE VIRGINIA'S DEATH TAX
Virginia Delegate Bob Tata introduced legislation in 2002 to gradually eliminate
the Virginia Death Tax, which will be reconsidered next session. In response
to his leadership, Virginians for Death Tax Repeal -- working with the Policy
and Taxation Group, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Virginia
Food Dealers Association, the 60 Plus Association, the Richmond Association
of Home Builders and others -- was formed to fight for repeal of the Virginia
Death Tax.
In November of 2002 the Joint Committee Studying State and Local Taxes, chaired
by Senator Emmett Hanger (Augusta) and Delegate Bob McDonnell (Virginia Beach)
recommended death tax repeal by 2005 as one of their top priorities and legislative
recommendations. Over a dozen organizations in our coalition appeared before
the commission urging repeal. Click here for a list
of our members.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
We are asking organizations that are members of the coalition to continue talking
in a bi-partisan manner with members of the Senate Finance and House Finance.
Thank those legislators who voted last year to repeal Virginia's death tax and
urge them to continue their support of Virginia's family-owned businesses and
family farmers. And be sure to let newly elected members know why your organization
supports full and honest repeal of the death tax.
Other ways you can help:
- Make an
online contribution to support our message.
- Call or emailmembers of the General Assembly to urge their support of death tax repeal. Phone (888) 889-0229 or (804) 698-1990.
- Call or e-mail
Governor Kaine to urge his support of death tax repeal for Virginia families.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local paper.
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HOW YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN HELP REPEAL VIRGINIA'S DEATH TAX
- Allow us to include your organization's name as opposing Virginia's Death
Tax.
- Enlist your membership to actively support Virginia Death Tax repeal by
contacting the Governor, state lawmakers and the media.
- Allow us to speak to your membership about the importance of this issue.
- Organize a mailing to your membership and articles for your publications.
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EMAIL OR CALL US TO JOIN OUR COALITION
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USEFUL LINKS
Votes from 2003 Session to Repeal Virginia's Death Tax
Please call or write to thank those who supported repeal last year and urge
them to continue their support for Virginia's family owned farms and businesses.
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