Nevada taxable sales up again in June

Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005 | 11:12 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Strong car and clothing sales helped push taxable sales in Clark County to $2.9 billion in June, a 12.5 percent increase from June 2004.

It was the 18th straight month that merchants in Clark County recorded a double-digit increase.

The state Taxation Department reported Tuesday that statewide taxable sales, one indicator of the strength of Nevada's economy, rose 13.7 percent to $4.1 billion. The state has recorded double-digit percentage increases in 17 of the last 18 months.

The increase in June helped the Silver State finish the fiscal year with $896 million in sales tax collections, a 15.5 percent increase. The collections were $16.9 million more than forecast for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

"Nevada once again has shown double digit increases in tax revenue," Gov. Kenny Guinn said. "Nevada continues to show economic stability with its desirable business climate and booming tourism sector."

The Taxation Department said sales in Clark County apparel stores reached $159.8 million, up 18.2 percent, the 10th consecutive month with a double-digit increase. Restaurants and bars generated $589.7 million, a 17- percent gain from a year ago.

Clark County car sales reached $440.2 million, an increase of 15.3 percent.

The wholesale trade business in durable goods had revenues of $192.2 million, up 13.8 percent, but the sale of building materials in Clark County softened to $201.2 million, up only 7 percent after 13 straight months of double-digit increases.

The department said general merchandise stores in Clark County had $218.9 million in taxable sales, up 11.7 percent, and home furniture sales reached $171.5 million, up 10.8 percent.

Statewide, the sale of wholesale durable goods rose 14.9 percent; building material sales increased 11.7 percent; general merchandise stores reported an 11.4 percent gain; auto dealers had a 17.2 percent increase and eating and drinking places reported a 14.6 percent gain.

Taxable sales in Washoe County rose to $653.1 million, up 13.8 percent and the first time since April 2004 that Washoe sales increases have exceeded Clark County's, by percentage.

Statewide the cigarette tax yielded $116.6 million, up 9 percent; the liquor tax produced $36.6 million, up 5.7 percent, and the insurance premium tax raised $214.5 million, up 10.4 percent.

The state collected $226.9 million from the modified business tax, up 40.3 percent from 2004, but the tax was not in effect all of 2004.

Among other new taxes passed in 2003 that were not in effect for all of 2004, were the real property transfer tax, which generated $148.7 million; the live entertainment tax, $86 million; and the bank excise tax, $3 million.