Southern Tier Sales Tax Collection Declines

Sales-tax revenue was up across New York state in the first three months of this year, but that’s not the story in the Southern Tier. Statewide, sales tax revenue has increased by nearly $300 million from January through March of 2012. Tioga County has not been so fortunate, with revenues down 9 percent. Broome County has seen revenues drop 7.1 percent, and Chemung has dropped 7.5 percent. Counties in the Southern Tier did see a significant increase in the early months of 2012, as damages from tropical storms Irene and Lee led to higher sales of goods and services in the area. New York State saw its largest increases in the Lower Hudson Valley area, along with New York City and Long Island.