Douglas takes 17.9 percent sales tax hit

Douglas County posted a 17.9 percent decrease in taxable sales, according to figures released by the Nevada Department of Taxation this afternoon.

Sales for the month of April, the most recent available, were $41.8 million, down from $50.9 million the same month in 2008.

Carson City posted a 27.4 percent decrease dropping from $73.8 million in April 2008 to $53.6 million in April 2009.

Lyon County had an even worse April with a 36.1 percent decrease of nearly $15 million compared to last year.

So far, Douglas has posted a 15 percent decrease in taxable sales since the beginning of the fiscal year in July 2008.

Statewide merchants sold $3.2 billion in goods during April for a 17.9 percent slump compared with the same month a year ago, according to a state report Friday.

The Taxation Department report shows that taxable sales were down in 14 of Nevada's 17 counties, including the state's population centers of Clark County, which encompasses Las Vegas, and Washoe County, which includes Reno.

In Clark County, sales dropped 17.1 percent to $2.4 billion; and Washoe County sales fell 22.7 percent to $425.1 million.

The report shows that government sales tax collections based on the sales were down 16.6 percent. The taxes totaled $240.6 million, including $64.3 million for the state and the balance for schools and local governments.