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Local Governments Get $541 Million in Sales Tax Revenue

Texas Comptroller Susan

Combs announced the state collected $1.65 billion in sales tax revenue

in April, down 3.1 percent compared to April 2008.

“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 percent for fiscal 2009,

decreases in monthly collections are expected to continue this year.”

Combs said local governments will receive $541.8

million in May sales tax allocations, down 2.3 percent compared to May

2008. So far this calendar year, sales tax allocations to cities,

counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts are up

0.5 percent compared to a year ago.

Comptroller Combs sent May sales tax allocations of

$367.1 million to Texas cities, down 2.8 percent compared to May 2008.

Calendar year-to-date, city sales tax allocations are down 0.03 percent

compared to the same period last year. Texas counties received sales

tax payments of $32.5 million, up 0.2 percent compared to one year ago.

Calendar year-to-date, county sales tax allocations are 4.5 percent

higher than last year.

In addition, $21.4 million went to 149 special

purpose taxing districts throughout the state, up 15.2 percent compared

to last May. Ten local transit systems received $120.8 million in

sales tax allocations, down 3.8 percent compared to a year ago.

May’s sales tax allocations to local governments

represent March sales that were reported to the Comptroller in April by

monthly tax filers and January, February and March sales reported to

the Comptroller in April by quarterly tax filers.

For details of May sales tax payments to individual

cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts, locate

the Monthly Sales and Use Tax Allocation Comparison Summary Reports on

the Comptroller’s Web site at www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/allocsum/compsum.html.

The Comptroller’s next sales tax allocation will be made on Friday, June 12.