ALBANY – From 2018 to 2019, the Hudson Valley region experienced the largest percentage gain in sales tax in the state.
The statistics are in a new report from State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s Office.
At 7.4 percent growth, the Valley outpaces the Southern Tier at 6.8 percent and the North Country at 5.9 percent.
Local sales tax collections in New York State totaled $18.3 billion in 2019 for a year-over-year increase of 4.7 percent.
Westchester County saw the greatest increase at 12.6 percent going from $550.5 million in 2018 to $619.8 million.
Rockland County sales tax grew by 6.3 percent, going from $218.5 million collected in 2018 to $232.2 million in 2019.
Ulster County’s sales tax income grew by 5.9 percent, going from $120.0 million to $127.2 million.
Dutchess County, with a 5.7 percent increase, the county saw sales tax grow from $197.4 million in 2018 to $208.7 million in 2019.
Putnam County grew by 5.1 percent, going from $63.1 million in 2018 to $66.4 million last year.
Orange County’s sales tax income grew by 3.9 percent, going from $289.6 million in 2018 to $300.8 million in 2019.
Sullivan County saw 1.9 percent sales tax growth, going from $46.4 million in 2018 to $47.3 million in 2019.
The state report said various elements can influence sales tax growth, including economic factors and state and local policy changes. It said the economic climate in 2019 was generally positive for sales tax growth and the labor market remained firm with continued employment and wage growth.
Consumer spending also held up throughout the year, despite slightly reduced consumer confidence over prior years, the comptroller reported.
A factor that dampened sales tax growth was that in 2019 gas prices were down for the first time since 2016. The report said taxes collected from the sales of motor fuel are a significant component of local sales tax revenue.
