May 2015 Sales Tax Collections

From the City of Central
    Sales tax revenues within the city of Central were down slightly in May 2015 compared to May 2014 by 0.6%.   Sales tax revenues, excluding motor vehicle sales taxes, within the city totaled $403,272.94 for the month of May 2015.  This is the first month in twenty-three months that sales taxes have decreased in year-to-year comparisons.
    For the previous fiscal year starting July 1, 2014 thru May 30, 2015, sales tax revenues were up 6.31% compared to the same period in the 2013-2014 fiscal year.   Motor vehicle sales tax revenues were also up by 12.3%.  
    The increase in sales taxes can be contributed to more citizens shopping locally as well as better reporting and auditing controls by the City-Parish, which collects sales taxes for all areas of the parish.  However, some businesses are not reporting their sales taxes timely.  As a result, the city of Central is working with the City-Parish to identify those businesses not reporting sales taxes or failing to submit sales taxes in a timely manner.  Additionally, some businesses are being audited to ensure that the sales taxes submitted are correct.