Nevada taxables sales again rise

Friday, Nov. 26, 2004 | 11:11 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada recorded $3.6 billion in taxable sales in September, a 17 percent increase over the previous month's total.

It was the biggest month-to-month percentage jump in at least eight years, and was the ninth consecutive month of double-digit increases. The September 2004 total also was 12 percent more than the total in September 2003.

"The news of this high double-digit growth in taxable sales and excise taxes is right in line with out latest announcement this past week of job growth at three times the national average and the lowest unemployment rate for Nevada in 25 years," Gov. Kenny Guinn said.

"As we transition into our second quarter of this fiscal year these latest numbers speak greatly about Nevada's current economy and its outlook." The state reported last week that the unemployment rate for October fell to 3.6 percent, its lowest point in 25 years.

September sales in Clark County rose 16.7 percent to $2.6 billion while Washoe County reported a gain of 16.3 percent to $592.5 million.

In Clark County, car sales shot up 20.3 percent to $339.8 million in September, wholesale trade-durable goods rose 25.8 percent to $162.3 million, building material sales increased 33.5 percent to $177.2 million while general merchandise stores reported $194.8 million in taxable sales, up 10.1 percent. Clothing stores had $143.7 million in sales, up 19.6 percent, home furnishing sales increased 18.6 percent to $170.5 million and eating and drinking places reported $519.4 million in taxable sales, an increase of 13.6 percent.

The department also reported the state's 2 percent sales tax yielded $75.1 million in September, a 19.1 percent increase compared with a year ago. So far this fiscal year, the state has received $217.32 million ub sales tax revenue, up 17.2 percent.

The department said statewide sales in bars and restaurants jumped 12.8 percent. General merchandise stores business was up 16.4 percent; home furniture sales rose 14.3 percent; car sales increased 17.9 percent; clothing stores posted a 19 percent gain in sales and wholesale durable goods rose 22.5 percent.

Eureka, Mineral and Pershing counties were the only ones to show decreases in taxable sales in September. Eureka was down 2.1 percent, Pershing fell 8.7 percent and Mineral was off 0.3 percent.

The department said the collections from the cigarette tax fell 2.5 percent to $8.6 million in September; liquor tax receipts rose 8 percent to $3.2 million and the insurance premium tax was up 9.7 percent to $55.2 million.