Sales tax revenue shows gain for August

AUSTIN – Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn on Monday announced that the state collected $1.42 billion in sales tax in August, up 8.2 percent compared to a year ago.

And when the state’s 2004 fiscal year ended August 31, general revenue-related sales tax collections totaled $15.3 billion for the year, up 7.9 percent compared to FY 03, reflecting rising consumer confidence and increased business spending.

“Sales tax grew at its highest annual rate since Texas’ 1998 economic boom,” Strayhorn said. “2004 was truly an economic bumper crop of a year for Texans.”

Clarendon’s own sales tax revenue for August was up 14.77 percent to $22,841.98. Hedley’s rebate was down 50.83 percent to $244.36; and Howardwick was down 3.54 percent to $1,244.70

Clarendon is running more than 3.5 percent ahead of its collections for the year-to-date. Hedley and Howardwick are both less than one percent below their year-to-date figures for the same time in 2003.

Texas cities, counties, transit systems, and special purpose taxing districts began their sales tax rebound earlier than the state. Overall, they have now seen 15 consecutive months of increased sales tax revenue.

Strayhorn this week delivered $327.4 million in September sales tax payments to local governments, a 7 percent increase compared to September 2003. So far this calendar year, local sales tax allocations are up 8.2 percent compared to the same period in 2003. September’s sales tax allocations include local sales taxes collected in July and reported to the Comptroller in August.

Strayhorn sent September sales tax allocations of $222.4 million to Texas cities, up 6.5 percent compared to September 2003.

Calendar year-to-date, city sales tax rebates are running 8.2 percent higher than last year. Texas counties received September sales tax allocations of $19.4 million, up 5.2 percent compared to a year ago. Calendar year-to-date, county sales tax allocations are 8.2 percent higher than last year.

Another $9 million went to 87 special purpose taxing districts around the state, an increase of 11.9 percent compared to a year ago.

So far this calendar year, sales tax allocations to special purpose districts are up 6.9 percent compared to 2003.

Nine Texas transit systems received $76.5 million in September sales tax rebates, up 8.5 percent compared to a year ago. Year-to-date, transit sales tax revenues are up 8.4 percent.