As to real property the person who by himself or his tenants has the freehold in his possession, whether in fee or for life, shall be deemed the owner for the purpose of taxation. A person who has made a mortgage or trust deed to secure a debt or liability shall be deemed the owner until the mortgagee or trustee takes possession, after which such mortgagee or trustee shall be deemed the owner. Personal property mortgaged or pledged shall, for the purpose of taxation, be deemed the property of the party who has the possession: Provided, however, That the reserve funds required in compliance with the terms and conditions of policies and contracts of domestic life insurance, annuity, investment and savings contract companies, complying with the requirements of chapter thirty-three of the code, shall not be deemed taxable property of such companies.
Structure West Virginia Code
Article 3. Assessments Generally
§11-3-1a. Magisterial Districts as Tax Districts; Legislative Findings; Terms Defined
§11-3-2. Canvass by Assessor; Lists of Property
§11-3-2a. Notice of Increased Assessment Required for Real Property; Exceptions to Notice
§11-3-3. Who to Furnish Property List
§11-3-5. Correction of Previous Property Books; Entry of Omitted Property
§11-3-7. Fixtures and Machinery
§11-3-7a. Chattel Interests in Real and Tangible Personal Property
§11-3-8. Who Deemed Owner for Purposes of Taxation
§11-3-9. Property Exempt From Taxation
§11-3-10. Failure to List Property, etc.; Collection of Penalties and Forfeitures
§11-3-10b. Exemption of Bank Deposits and Money From Forfeitures and Penalties
§11-3-11. Making or Correction of List by Assessor
§11-3-12. Assessment of Corporate Property; Reports to Assessors by Corporations
§11-3-13. Entry of Corporate Property by Assessor
§11-3-14. Assessment of Stock, Realty and Tangible Personal Property of Banks
§11-3-14a. Taxation of Building and Loan Associations and Federal Savings and Loan Associations
§11-3-15a. Assessment of Property of Limited Liability Companies
§11-3-15b. Notice of Increase in Assessed Value of Business Personal Property
§11-3-15c. Petition for Assessor Review of Improper Valuation of Real Property
§11-3-15d. Administrative Review of Tangible Personal Property Valuation by Assessor
§11-3-15e. Contents of Petition Based on Income Approach to Value of Real Property
§11-3-15f. Rejection of Petition; Amended Petition; Appeal Options
§11-3-15g. Meeting Between Assessor and Petitioner
§11-3-15i. Petitioner S Right to Appeal
§11-3-16. Totals of Property Books
§11-3-17. Assessment of Property of Assessor and Deputies
§11-3-18. Tax Assessment and Collection When Emergency Exists
§11-3-19. Property Books; Time for Completing; Extension of Levies; Copies
§11-3-20. False Entries in Property Books
§11-3-21. Violations Where No Penalty Prescribed
§11-3-22. Expenses of Assessors
§11-3-23. Alterations in Property Books
§11-3-23a. Informal Review and Resolution of Classification, Taxability and Valuation Issues
§11-3-24. Review and Equalization by County Commission
§11-3-24b. Board of Assessment Appeals
§11-3-25. Relief in Circuit Court Against Erroneous Assessment
§11-3-25a. Payment of Taxes That Become Due While Appeal Is Pending
§11-3-26. Contents and Effect of Order Granting Relief
§11-3-27. Relief in County Commission From Erroneous Assessments
§11-3-29. Levies to Be Based Only on Values Ascertained