2020 County Sales Tax Receipts Much Better Than Once Expected
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Published by the North Country Chamber of Commerce
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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli recently released the sales tax numbers for 2020, and they show that our area counties outperformed the state and finished the year far better than projected last spring when monthly receipts initially plummeted.
Local sales tax receipts statewide were down 10% in 2020 compared to 2019. In the North Country, Clinton County was down just 3.2% despite facing the greatest impact from the loss of Canadian visitors and shoppers. Hamilton County and Warren County were down just 1.8% and 1.2% respectively. Two of our counties were up for 2020 compared to 2019. Essex County sales tax receipts were up 1.0% and Franklin County was up 6.9%.
Factors certainly included stronger than once expected employment following the initial shut-down period; a strong commitment by our residents to spend locally; substantial growth in some retail categories such as building supplies and home improvements; the collection of county sales taxes on most on-line purchases now; and the increase in downstate visitors coming to our mountains and lakes.
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Posted: February 9th, 2021 under Business News, County Government News, Northern NY News.