(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar reports that statewide, the sales tax revenue totaled $2.72 billion in October, which is 3.5% less than in October 2019.
The sales tax revenue that was returned to the five Lamb County cities was a combined total of $136,162.75 for this period, compared with the 2019 combined total of $126,521.15 for the same period. That’s a difference of $9,641.60.
For the City of Amherst, it received a return of $1,537.84, which is 5.74% more than the $1,454,24 it received last year. So far, Amherst has received a total of $21,055.35 for the year, which is compared with the total of $23,198.83 it had at this time in 2019. That’s a decrease of-9.23%.
The City of Earth received a return of $7,396.91 for this period, which is compared with the $15,280.75 it received for the same period in 2019. That’s a decrease of-51.59%. So far this year, Earth has received a total of $70,836.90, which is a -5.97% decrease from the $75,341.09 it had at this time last year.
The City of Littlefield received a sales tax return in the amount of $100,836.94 for this period, which is an increase of 13.06% from the $89,187.71 it received in 2019. Littlefield has received a total of $1,114.551.70 for the year, which is a 13.11% increase of the $985,296.31 it had at this time last year. The two Littlefield Economic Development Corporations receive half of Littlefield’s sales tax return ($50,418.47), which is divided equally ($25,209.235) each for the Type “A” and Type “B” Econonic Development Corporations. The City of Littlefield retains the other half ($50,418.47).
The City of Olton received a return of $16,763.94, which is a 16.78% increase over last year’s return of $14,353.94. Olton’s total for the year, so far, is $178,220.28, which is an 18.14% increase over the $150,850.76 it had by this time in 2019.
For the City of Sudan, a return of $9,627.20 was received for this period, which is an increase of 54.17% over the $6,244.51 it received last year. Sudan’s total for the year is $110,254.55, which is a 49.93% increase over the $73,532.94 it had by this time in 2019.
Over in Hockley County, the City of Anton received a return of $2,636.19, an increase of 23.49% from last year’s return of $2,134.70 for this same period. Anton has received a total of $28,558.57 for the year, which is a 29.69% increase over last year’s total of $22,019.56 at this time.
Comptroller Glenn Hegar reported: “The majority of October sales tax revenue is based on sales made in September and remitted to the agency in October.
“October sales tax collections from all major economic sectors declined significantly from yearago levels, with the exception of collections from retail trade,” Hegar said. “The steepest declines were in receipts from oiland gas-related sectors, with the rate of well drilling activity depressed almost 75% from the previous year.
“Receipts from the information sector were down, principally due to the federally-mandated exemption of internet access charges from taxation. Receipts from retail trade increased, as adaptation to pandemic circumstances has spurred increased spending on building materials, home furnishings, sporting goods and alcohol for off-premise consumption, while spending at bars and entertainment venues has languished.
“Receipts from restaurants also remain down from a year ago, though significantly higher than in the spring, with some resumption of dine-in service after relaxation of capacity limits as well as increased sales of meals for pick up or delivery. In a departure from recent trends, receipts from clothing stores were up from a year ago for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.”
Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in October 2020 was down 5.1%, compared to the same period a year ago.
Sales tax is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 59% of all tax collections. The effects of the COVID-related economic slowdown were evident in other sources of revenue as well.
Texas collected the following revenue from other major taxes:
Motor vehicle sales and rental taxes — $455 million, down 6.1% from October 2019;
Motor fuel taxes — $286 million, down 8.3% from October 2019;
Oil production tax — $200 million, down 42.2% from October 2019;
Natural gas production tax $57 million, down 32.9% from October 2019;
Hotel occupancy tax— $33 million, down 33.3 % from October 2019; and
Alcoholic beverage taxes — $88 million, down 24.2% from October 2019.
For details on all monthly collections, visit the Comptroller’s Monthly State Revenue Watch. For an extensive history of tax policy developments and fees since 1972, visit the updated Sources of Revenue publication.