Comptroller Combs Distributes $441 Million in Local Sales Tax

(AUSTIN)Texas Comptroller Susan Combs today announced that the state collected $1.77 billion in sales tax revenue in May a 5.2 percent decrease compared to May 2008. Weakness throughout most sectors of the economy resulted in a significant decrease in May sales tax collections" Combs said. While year-to-date sales tax revenue is up 0.5 percent for state fiscal 2009 further declines are expected this year." Combs sent cities counties transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $441.1 million in June local sales tax allo cations down 3.9 percent compared to last June. Combs sent June sales tax allocations of $297 million to Texas cities down 3 percent compared to June 2008.  So far this calendar year city sales tax allocations are down 0.5 percent compared to the same time period last year.  Texas counties received sales tax payments of $26.4 million down 6.9 percent compared to last June. So far this year sales tax allocations to counties remain up 2.7 percent compared to 2008. In addition $17.1 million went to 150 special purpose taxing districts around the state down 0.9 percent compared to last June.  Ten local transit systems received $100.4 million in sales tax allocations down 6 percent compared to a year ago. Junes sales tax allocations represent sales that occurred in April. For details of June sales tax payments to individual cities counties transit systems and special purpose districts locate the Monthly Sales Tax Allocation Comparison Summary Reports on the Comptrollers Web site at www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/allocsum/compsum.html. The Comptrollers next sales tax allocation will be made on Friday July 10.