Sales tax revenue up in Eupora, Mathiston

By Russell Hood

The Webster Progress-Times

Most municipalities in Webster County saw increases in sales tax revenues in April compared to the same month a year ago, according to a report issued by the Mississippi State Tax Commission.

New sales tax diversion figures show Eupora collected $33,397.77 this month from April sales. Comparing figures from April 2008, the city collected $32,125.82 then. This April's collections are also up from March, when they were $32,922.04.

Total collections since July ($381,695.03) are $5,866 higher than the same period the previous year. The state Tax Commission uses a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year when reporting sales tax collections, which are a measure of retail activity.

Mathiston reported collecting $17,314.12 in April, up from $16,461.11 in April 2008. March collections were $17,163.60. The town's totals since July 1 ($189.259.35) are $11,819 higher than the same period a year ago.

Mantee's sales tax collections in April were $2,067.56, down from $3,024.21 a year ago. March's collections were $1,879.63. Total collections since last July are down $2,894.

Walthall posted collections of $2,724.86 in April, compared to $2,162.41 for the same month in 2008. March collections were $2,135.29. Total collections for the year to date ($24,335.50) are up $2,462 from the previous year.

In neighboring Oktibbeha County, Maben's April collections were $4,799.55, down from $6,056.82 the previous year. March's sales tax collections there were $5,470.25 and year-to-date totals ($59,661.32) are down $12,884 from the previous year.

June's sales tax figures represent taxes collected in April reported to the state in May with the local share disbursed back to cities in June by the state. Mississippi's cities and towns receive 18.5 percent of state sales tax revenue collected through purchases within their boundaries. The state has a 7 percent sales tax.