Sales tax revenue in Texas continues to decline, as the state reported collecting $1.65 billion in April. That’s 3.1% less than in April 2008, according to Comptroller Susan Combs, although the total for fiscal 2009 remains above last year’s collections.
“State sales tax revenue declined in April as most major sectors of the economy continue to struggle,” Combs said. “Although year-to-date revenue is up 1.3% for fiscal 2009, decreases in monthly collections are expected to continue this year.”
The state distributed $367.1 million in sales tax collections for May, Combs said, 2.8% less than in May 2008. Texas counties received $32.5 million.
Houston was the only large city receiving an increase in sales tax revenue. Its allocation was $45.7 million, up 1.2% from May 2008. Houston has received $220.8 million in sales tax revenue so far in fiscal 2009, an increase of 4.1%.
Dallas revenue fell almost 9%, to $20.2 million from $22.1 million in May 2008. Austin’s revenue fell by 9.5%, from $13.4 million in May 2008 to $12.1 in the latest allocation.
Allocations include $21.4 million to 149 special-purpose taxing districts throughout Texas, up 15.2% compared to last May. Ten local transit systems received $120.8 million in allocations, down 3.8% from a year ago.
May’s sales tax allocations to local governments represent March sales reported to the state in April by monthly tax filers and January, February, and March sales reported in April by quarterly tax filers.
