Mathiston's sales tax revenues up

Mathiston experienced an increase in its sales tax revenues in May, according to a Mississippi Department of Revenue report.

The town's sales revenue increased 12.62 percent in May compared with the same month a year ago. Mathiston received $19,575, up from $17,380 in May 2009. Sales tax collections since June 2009 are down $16,374, or 8 percent.

Eupora's monthly collections were also up, from $32,262 last year to $34,600 this May, or 6.9 percent. The city's year-to-date collections are down $1,142, or 0.27 percent.

These figures reflect other area taxes collected on May sales with 2009 figures in parentheses:

• Maben: $5,579 ($5,468)

• Mantee: $2,223 ($2,180)

• Walthall: $2,436 ($2,096)

Tax is collected by the retailer one month, and reported and paid to the MDR by the retailer the second month. The diversion is paid to the cities by the Revenue Department the third month.

The state Tax Commission was reorganized effective July 1 and the tax collection agency for Mississippi is now known as the Department of Revenue.