Total state sales tax collections based on July sales took a big jump in DeKalb County compared to the same month last year. These are the first available numbers from the state since the local option sales tax increase took effect July first, going from 1.5% to 2.75%.
The latest report from the Tennessee Department of Revenue show that total sales tax collections for the month of August, based on July sales, were $304,342 compared to $151,756 a year ago.
Total collections for the month of July, based on June sales, came to $192,471.
County Mayor Mike Foster says these numbers show the economic impact tourism is having in DeKalb County this summer.
Total sales tax collections based on July sales in DeKalb County, outside the cities, were $71,645, up from $42,097 last July.
Sales tax collections in Smithville were $212,720 based on July sales, up from $95,325 last July. Alexandria’s collections were $12,978 in July, up from $8,329 last July. In Dowelltown, the collections in July were $1,929 compared to $814 last July, and in Liberty the sales tax collections in July were $5,069, down from $5,189 last July.
Sales tax collections based on June sales were $44,346 in DeKalb County, outside the cities, $136,731 in Smithville, $7,782 in Alexandria, $1,343 in Dowelltown, and $2,266 in Liberty.
Under state law, the cities must turn over 50% of their local option sales tax collections to the county’s local purpose fund or special school sinking fund, plus another 16 & 2/3% by agreement with the county.
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