Purchases of taxable goods still strong

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 | 10:54 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- For the 14th straight month, taxable sales in Clark County produced a double-digit increase in February compared with February 2004 with strong business in sale of autos, building materials and clothing.

The state Taxation Department reported Tuesday taxable sales for Clark County reached $2.4 billion, up 12.1 percent.

Statewide, taxable sales grew to $3.2 billion in Feburary, an increase of 10.9 percent.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said, "With the release of the February sales tax statistics, Nevada once again continues to make positive gains in its economy. These latest figures affirm Nevada's economic stability, strong consumer confidence and our attractive business climate."

So far this fiscal year, the sales tax collections for the state's 2 percent cut are at $674 million, an increase of 15.9 percent over the same period of last year.

In Clark County, the taxation department said sales of building materials rose to $153.1 million, up 16.8 percent -- the 10thstraight month of a double-digit increase in this category.

Sales in clothing stores in Clark County rose to $132.8 million, up 18.8 percent; car sales reached $346.4 million, an increase of 14 percent and wholesale trade goods recorded $142.3 million in sales, up 21.5 percent.

General merchandise stores in Clark County registered a 10.7 percent increase to $192.6 million; home furniture sales grew 7.2 percent to $143.3 million and restaurant and bar sales increased 5.3 percent to $509.5 million.

The taxation department said business statewide in wholesale trade rose 18.2 percent; building materials was up 14.1 percent; general merchandise stores grew 10.2 percent from February of a year ago; auto dealers posted a 10.8 percent gain; clothing stores recorded a 17.7 percent increase and eating and drinking places posted a 5 percent increase compared with a year ago.

Washoe County sales rose 5.6 percent to $462.6 million in February; Douglas County grew 2 percent to $54.7 million; Elko registered a 12.2 percent increase to $60.1 million and Carson City was up 2.3 percent to $68.7 million in taxable sales.

The department said the cigarette tax in February produced $7.6 million in revenue for the state, down 22.7 percent from a year ago; liquor tax receipts rose 14.8 percent to $2.7 million and the estate tax yielded $1.9 million, down 51.9 percent because the federal government is phasing out this levy.