Local sales tax numbers released Wednesday are described as “disappointing” by Manhattan Finance Director Bernie Hayen, although Hayen points to several national chain retailers that also showed a downward trend this year of about two to four percent compared to April of last year.
$826,024 in sales tax were collected in Manhattan in April, compared to $838,056 in April of last year…which was also lower than 2015. This year’s April numbers are the lowest since 2014’s $806,747. The net budget impact for the month is negative $50,066.
Hayen reminds us the numbers for April actually reflect community sales for February of 2017. He adds, “While disappointing, it is still too early to know if this flattening of local sales taxes will continue.”