Sales tax receipts still ahead after 2nd quarter dip

While parish sales tax collections dipped somewhat in the second quarter of the year, collections are still above the same period from 2013.
Sales and Use Tax Administrator Jeff LaGrange told the St. Mary Parish Council of Governments group Monday that there was a 3 percent drop in May collections and a 2.6 percent drop in June.
LaGrange said the quarter was still 1.4 percent above last year, and the first half of the year shows a 6.9 percent increase.
Oil, gas and industry that make up 27 percent of collections, LaGrange said, have shown a 2 percent decline. “I’m not sure where it’s coming from because everyone that I know is saying they’re pretty robust right now and business is good, so we’re going to have to dig a little deeper,” he said.
Automobile sales make up 10 percent of collections; rental/leasing 6 percent; grocery 6 percent; building materials 4 percent; convenience stores 4 percent; fast food 3 percent; drug stores 3 percent; and “other” sales tax payers 28 percent.
LaGrange said the hotel occupancy tax was down 15 percent in June and 7 percent in the first half of the year.
He said that more available lodging in neighboring parishes has caused occupancy and rates, due to competition, to decline.
LaGrange reminded the group that this weekend is the annual state sales tax free weekend, only on the 4 percent of state sales taxes.