UC gets another good state sales tax report

June 4, 2014

UPPER CUMBERLAND – The Upper Cumberland followed a good state sales tax collection report in March with another strong showing in April.

The 14-county region saw a gain of 5.1 percent for the latest month, which topped the state’s gain of 4.0 percent. Three of the UC’s four largest collectors had some of the better showings, including Cumberland (5.7), Putnam (5.9) and White (8.0).

Increases were also reported in Cannon (11.3), Smith (10.1), Pickett (6.8), DeKalb (3.5), Fentress (3.4), Macon (3.2) and Clay (3.1). Two counties saw big spikes, including Jackson (39.3) and Van Buren (37.8). Just two counties showed losses, including Overton (-4.3) and Warren (-0.3).

The previous March report, in which collections were up 5.9 percent for the region, was the first time the UC had outgained the state since September.

April’s follow-up puts the UC dead even with the state in terms of quarterly collections. Both are up 3.6 percent over the latest three months. And the region only trails the state by 0.1 percentage points in the annual figures. The UC has seen a 3.3 percentage point increase over the latest 12 months. The state sits at 3.4.

Collections, which are considered just one measure of economic activity, are based on state sales taxes; local option taxes are excluded. Sales data lags by one month; for example, April numbers reflect March activity.

Counties	April	Year prior	Percent change
Cannon	$343,554	$308,776	11.3
Clay	$197,502	$191,622	3.1
Cumberland	$3,759,006	$3,556,456	5.7
DeKalb	$869,323	$839,774	3.5
Fentress	$678,140	$655,791	3.4
Jackson	$215,316	$154,614	39.3
Macon	$963,675	$934,053	3.2
Overton	$758,000	791,674	-4.3
Pickett	$142,834	$133,771	6.8
Putnam	$7,751,213	$7,319,571	5.9
Smith	$812,617	$737,842	10.1
Van Buren	$82,564	$59,937	37.8
Warren	$2,093,165	$2,099,799	-0.3
White	$1,161,126	$1,074,916	8.0
UCDD	$19,828,035	$18,858,596	5.1
TN	$638,403,000	$613,604,000	4.0