Bullion sales tax · West Virginia
West Virginia sales tax on gold and silver
Is gold taxed in West Virginia?
No.
West Virginia charges no sales or use tax on investment bullion of gold, silver, platinum or palladium, or on investment coins (numismatic or legal-tender coins worth more than face value), with no minimum purchase.
- Investment gold & silver
- Tax-free
- Order threshold
- None
- Metals covered
- Gold, silver, platinum and palladium
- Jewelry
- Taxed · about 6.59%
What's taxed in West Virginia
| What you're buying | Sales tax | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Gold and silver bars and rounds | No sales tax | No sales tax in West Virginia, whatever the order size. |
| Gold and silver bullion coins (Eagles, Maple Leafs, Krugerrands) | No sales tax | No sales tax in West Virginia, whatever the order size. |
| Platinum and palladium bullion (bars, rounds and coins) | No sales tax | No sales tax in West Virginia, whatever the order size. |
| Rare and graded (numismatic) coins | No sales tax | No sales tax in West Virginia, whatever the order size. |
| Jewelry | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in West Virginia. |
| Medals, collectibles and accessories | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in West Virginia. |
The rule, in plain English
West Virginia charges no sales or use tax on investment bullion of gold, silver, platinum or palladium, or on investment coins (numismatic or legal-tender coins worth more than face value), with no minimum purchase.
What counts: "Investment metal bullion means any elementary precious metal which has been put through a process of smelting or refining, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, and which is in such a state or condition that its value depends upon its content and not its form." It excludes precious metal 'assembled, fabricated, manufactured, or processed in one or more industrial, professional, aesthetic, or artistic uses'. Investment coins: see notes. No purity percentage.
Still taxed: Jewelry and works of art made of coins; commemorative medallions; precious metal fabricated for industrial, professional, aesthetic or artistic use; accessories and other collectibles.
This rule took effect on July 1, 2019.
What you would pay: three West Virginia examples
| Purchase delivered to West Virginia | Sales tax |
|---|---|
| Silver coins, $500 | $0 exempt investment bullion |
| Gold coins, $5,000 | $0 exempt investment bullion |
| A gold necklace, $1,000 | about $66 jewelry is taxed |
Using West Virginia's 6% state rate plus the average local rate, 6.59% combined (Tax Foundation, January 2026). Your city or county rate may be higher or lower.
West Virginia and its neighbors
- Kentucky Tax-free
- Maryland Tax-free on orders over $1,000
- Ohio Tax-free
- Pennsylvania Tax-free
- Virginia Tax-free
Different rules next door: Maryland (tax-free on orders over $1,000). Same as West Virginia: Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Tax follows the delivery address, not where you live.
Buying from Bullion Trading LLC with delivery to West Virginia
No sales tax is added at our checkout for bullion delivered to West Virginia.
Orders ship insured and discreetly packed: USPS under $1,000, FedEx with adult signature from $1,000, usually within 2–3 business days after payment clears. Bank transfer and check are our best price; card and PayPal add 5% (up to $7,500).
Tax-free in West Virginia: popular coins and bars
The large price is the check/wire price; the card/PayPal price is listed under it. Prices follow the live spot price.
Selling gold in West Virginia
Selling gold to a dealer is not a retail purchase, so no sales tax applies. A profit is a capital gain: the IRS taxes gains on gold and silver bullion as collectibles, at up to 28% when held more than a year. West Virginia taxes the gain as ordinary income (top rate 4.58% in 2026).
Dealers have to report some larger sales to the IRS on Form 1099-B; keep your purchase receipts to show your cost.
We buy bullion at our counter at 20 West 47th Street in New York: walk in with a photo ID and we pay by same-day check. How selling to us works
Local taxes
The exemption also covers the use tax (§ 11-15A). Municipal sales and use taxes in West Virginia follow the state base, so qualifying items should be exempt locally too. I did not check the municipal statute separately.
Common questions about West Virginia
Is gold taxed in West Virginia?
No. West Virginia charges no sales or use tax on investment bullion of gold, silver, platinum or palladium, or on investment coins (numismatic or legal-tender coins worth more than face value), with no minimum purchase.
Is silver taxed in West Virginia?
No. Investment silver bullion and coins are exempt from sales tax in West Virginia.
Is gold jewelry taxed in West Virginia?
Yes. Jewelry is taxed like other goods in West Virginia (about 6.59% on average with local tax), even when it is made of gold, silver or platinum.
Do I pay tax when I sell gold in West Virginia?
Selling gold to a dealer is not a retail purchase, so no sales tax applies. A profit is a capital gain: the IRS taxes gains on gold and silver bullion as collectibles, at up to 28% when held more than a year. West Virginia taxes the gain as ordinary income (top rate 4.58% in 2026).
Selling to a dealer
No sales tax
A gain on the sale
Taxed by the IRS as a collectible, up to 28% when held more than a year
Sources
- W. Va. Code § 11-15-9r — Exemption for precious metals (enacted as § 11-15-9q, later renumbered). The official code site redirects automated requests, so I saw the current text only in a search snippet. (checked October 19, 2026)
- 2019 W. Va. Acts, Enrolled Committee Substitute for SB 502 — Created the exemption; passed March 8, 2019; effective July 1, 2019 (checked October 19, 2026)
- State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026 (table: State & Local Sales Tax Rates as of January 1, 2026) (Tax Foundation)
- 2026 Sales Tax Rates, Midyear Update (rates as of July 1, 2026) (Tax Foundation)
- 2026 Income Tax Rate Cut (SB 392) (West Virginia Tax Division)
- IRS Topic 409: capital gains and losses (collectibles rate)
How we research and check this guide: our method.