Recent news about unexpected dips in local sales tax collections might not be entirely a reflection of a sharp downturn in the economy. The state Department of Finance Administration says a mail distribution delay of some 250 sales tax reporting forms accounts for some $5.5 million in additional sales tax revenue that should be distributed to several cities and counties.
John Theis, the assistant state revenue commissioner, told me further that, while the delayed payments cover localities all over Arkansas, “Once final distributions have been calculated this is going to address many of the shortfalls reported recently by cities and counties in Central Arkansas.”
Advertisement