The tax shoppers pay on goods and services in Bernalillo County went up last week, with more increases likely on the way.
County commissioners last year voted to boost the gross receipts tax this summer to help fund jail operations because Albuquerque reduced its financial support for the jail system and turned it over to county control. The city may cut its share of the gross receipts tax rate to offset the county increase.
The jail tax rate in unincorporated areas went from 5.56% to 5.69%, and the Albuquerque rate increased from 6.75% to 6.88%.
Bernalillo County commissioners are considering three more tax increases. Two would fund health care for the poor, and the third would finance arts and cultural programs. None of the three proposed taxes has been approved yet.
The two proposed health care taxes would go into effect Jan. 1. They would raise the unincorporated rate to 5.81% and the Albuquerque rate to 7%.
The tax for arts and cultural programs would go into effect July 1 next year. It would raise the unincorporated rate to 6.0625% and the Albuquerque rate to 7.25%.
