Central Sees Drop in Sales Taxes

Sales tax collections have taken a downward turn in Central.  Sales tax figures in the city of Central for the period July 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011 show a decline in collections of 2.3% when compared to the same period last fiscal year.  The city’s fiscal year starts July 1 of each year.   For the eight month period starting July 1, 2010, the 2% general sales tax collections totaled $2,734,621 and motor vehicle sales tax collections totaled $621,956.09.  The eight month period starting July 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010, the 2% general sales tax collections totaled $2,775,636.10 and the motor vehicle sales tax collections totaled $650,245.00. 
 
The city of Central, the Central Chamber of Commerce, and the Central Community School System would like to remind everyone to “Shop Central First” to keep sales tax dollars here in Central.  School Superintendent Mike Faulk is working with the Mayor’s Office on a campaign to remind everyone on the importance of using “Central, LA” as your address when purchasing items and having them delivered to your home.  Sales taxes on delivered items are required to be submitted to the jurisdiction in which the delivery is made.  Supt. Faulk is making sure that all contractors working on the new school site are properly reporting their sales taxes to Central on the sales tax forms.  The Central Community School Systems receives a 2 ½% sales tax and the city receives a 2% sales tax on every dollar spent in Central.
 
Residents are reminded that when purchasing items to be delivered to your home, please use “Central, LA” to make sure that the city and the school system receive their proper sales taxes.   Both the school system and the city are working with the EBR Finance Department, which collects the sales taxes parishwide, to request sales tax audits of certain businesses that may not be properly recording sales taxes.