Statewide sales tax revenues rise slightly

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced the state collected $1.68 billion in sales tax revenue in April, up 1.4 percent compared to April 2009.

“This modest increase is welcome after 14 consecutive months of year-over-year declines,” Combs said.

Combs will distribute $567 million in May sales tax allocations to local governments on Friday, up 4.7 percent compared to May 2009. So far this calendar year, sales tax allocations to cit- ies, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts are down 4.8 percent compared to a year ago.

May’s sales tax allocations to local governments represent March sales that were reported to the Comptroller in April by monthly tax filers and January, February and March sales reported to the Comptroller in April by quarterly tax filers.

The Comptroller’s June sales tax allocation will be made on Friday, June 11.