February tax revenues down nearly $40K
For the sixth consecutive month, sales tax receipts are down for Columbus. The city’s sales tax check for the month of April is $698,385.72 — a $37,403.25 decrease from April 2012, it is the sharpest decrease from a previous year’s monthly total since September 2010.
City seeks state help to review sales tax dip
Columbus city officials said Thursday they met with representatives from the Mississippi Department of Revenue to address current fiscal year general sales tax declines.
Sales tax data may force cuts to city budget
Columbus sales tax collections continue to lag behind last year’s revenue, prompting some to question whether the city will have to amend its Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget or dip into reserves to make up the difference.
Sales tax returns are cause for optimism
Starkville posted its second-highest January sales tax returns this year, according to data released by the city earlier this week.
Analysis: Miss. keeps some control of local issues
Mississippi lawmakers get hopping mad when Washington tries to tell the state what it can or can’t do. But, they’ve been plenty willing this session to make the state government exert similar control over local government.
Aldermen vote on sales tax proposal
Voters in the Golden Triangle, and across Mississippi, may soon be able to raise their own local sales tax without the hassle of getting state approval.
The Starkville Board of Aldermen voted 5-2 to formally endorse the Citizens for Economic Development Act, legislation that would allow municipalities to temporarily raise their local sales tax one cent to help fund capital projects.
October sales tax receipts down $14K from 2011
For the second month in a row, sales tax receipts are down for Columbus. According to Chief Financial Officer Mike Bernsen, the city’s sales tax check for the month of December is down almost $14,000 from December 2011.
Tax-free weekend starts today
Back-to-school shoppers throughout the state will get a break this weekend, thanks to a Mississippi law that excludes many purchases from state sales tax.
Parents, merchants ready for tax-free weekend
Mississippi shoppers will get a break from sales tax this weekend as the annual tax-free weekend begins Friday at midnight. The tax-free shopping law was passed by the Mississippi Legislature in 2009 as a way to help families with the financial strain of back-to-school shopping.
Sales tax receipts up over last year
Although sales tax figures have dropped slightly in Columbus over the past 30 days, Chief Financial Officer Mike Bernsen said the city is still posting higher numbers than predicted for the year.
“We collected $809,699 in the month of May and $728,609 in the month of June,” Bernsen said. “We are still doing better than we were doing a year ago.”
March sales tax collections up throughout Golden Triangle
Consumer confidence may be on an upswing in the Golden Triangle as March sales tax figures show a steady increase from February and from 2011 numbers.
Tax collections up in Columbus, West Point
The city’s chief financial officer, Mike Bernsen, Tuesday told the Columbus City Council of an increase in sales tax paid in February.
City reaps check for record Aug. sales tax
Times are tough when the city sets a record for sales tax revenues and just breaks even.