Sales tax collections, including those on vehicle sales, are up a scant 0.06% through the first half of 2016 over last year’s collections, according to the latest monthly report from the city-parish Finance Department.
Collections in June fell for the second-straight month, down 1.7%. That was despite a healthy 5.8% jump in sales tax collections on vehicle sales—which are typically more volatile than sales tax collections on other purchases—during the month. Not including vehicle sales, collections were off 2.4%.
Sales tax collections, including on vehicles, were down 1.5% inside the Baton Rouge city limits in June and were off 2% outside the city limits. Through June, combined collections totaled roughly $90.95 million, compared to $90.9 netted during the first six months of last year.
In the short-term, economists have said they expect sales tax collections to rise in the city-parish as residents begin to rebuild their flooded homes and replace ruined cars.
