Lander County's taxable sales jump in June

Nevada sales were up 1.2 percent for the month

CARSON CITY (AP) - Strong sales of electronics and vehicles in June helped keep Nevada's consumer-driven economy heading in a positive direction, the Department of Taxation reported.

Statewide, taxable sales totaled $3.9 billion, up 1.2 percent from the same month in 2012.

Lander County recorded a 33.7 percent increase in taxable sales in June over the same month in 2012. In June, merchants in the county sold $41.8 million in goods, which is up substantially from the $31.3 million in taxable sales posted in June of 2012. Taxable sales in Lander County for the fiscal year to date are basically flat compared to 2012.

Sales of $2.8 billion in Clark County, the state's population hub and economic engine, were down 0.3 percent. In northern Nevada's Washoe County, sales rose 6 percent to $527 million. Eleven of Nevada's 17 counties posted gains in taxable sales, with Clark, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Lincoln and Lyon being the exceptions, the report said.

Gross revenue collections statewide totaled $309 million in June, representing a 2.3 percent increase over June 2012. For the fiscal year that ended June 30, gross tax collections were up 5.7 percent.

The general fund portion of taxes collected for the month was nearly $78 million, a 2.2 percent increase. For the fiscal year, the general fund sales and use taxes were 0.3 percent, or roughly $3 million, greater than the forecast the independent Economic Forum made in May.

Forum projections are used to set the state budget.

Big gains were realized in June sales by specialty trade contractors, up 67.7 percent; motor vehicle and parts dealers, up 7.8 percent; building material and garden equipment supplies, up 9.7 percent; electronics and appliance stores, up 12.7 percent; and clothing and accessories, up 3.9 percent.

On the flip side, sales by durable goods wholesalers fell 7.8 percent.

Accommodations slipped 0.6 percent, while sales at bars and restaurants also were down a fraction from the same month a year ago. Both are key indicators of Nevada's vital tourism economy.

Modified business taxes, which are based on payroll and paid by general businesses and financial institutions, totaled $95.4 million for the quarter that ended in June, the report said. Those collections were up 5.2 percent from the same quarter last year, and for the fiscal year, they're up slightly, bringing in about $1 million more than forum projections.

Excise taxes collected on tobacco, liquor and live entertainment generated $123.7 million in June, representing an 11 percent gain from the year before.

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