Local government sales tax collections statewide were down 5.9 percent in January compared to the same time last year, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today. Collections totaled $1.5 billion, down $95 million from January 2020.

The decline was less than the 8.4 percent drop in December and the double-digit declines in the earlier months of the pandemic (April-June).

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to weigh heavily on New York’s local governments, even as vaccines are being distributed and infection rates are declining from all-time highs,” DiNapoli said. “Congress must pass a COVID relief bill that helps our local governments during this crisis. Majority Leader Schumer and the entire New York congressional delegation know how much our local communities are suffering and are working diligently to get them aid.”

Regionally, Central New York is the only area in the state that experienced growth in sales tax collections for January, at 1.7 percent. Declines in the remaining regions ranged from 2.8 percent in the Mohawk Valley to 8.1 percent on Long Island. New York City had a 6 percent decline, down $45 million compared to January 2020.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance reconciles sales tax collections at the end of each calendar quarter to reflect final reported sales activity by location. The next reconciliation will be reported in mid-April, and will provide a more accurate regional picture of sales tax collections during the first quarter (January-March) of 2021.

Table
Monthly Local Sales Tax Collections by Region (for detailed monthly breakdown)

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