August sales tax numbers up; Carson sees huge jump from one-time audit

Carson City's taxable sales jumped a whopping 11.7 percent in August. But Department of Taxation officials say it was a one-time event, caused when auditors discovered $6.69 million in unpaid taxes during a bank audit. Under state law, they aren't permitted to reveal which bank.

That discovery jumped the category that banks are lumped under from $1.66 million a year ago by more than $5 million this August.

Other than that, Carson City Finance Director Nick Providenti said, it was basically a flat month for the capital, with motor vehicle dealers - Carson's largest sales tax generator - reporting a $400,000 decrease to $15.4 million.

Providenti said he had hoped for a bump from the large classic car auction held by developer Garth Richards at the end of August. More than 100 classic vehicles were auctioned off.

But auctioneers typically give buyers a drive-away permit instead of imposing the tax. The tax is actually collected when the buyer registers it - which means the taxes go to the county and state where the car is registered, not where it was sold.

Total taxable sales for the month were $69.8 million in Carson City.

Statewide, it was a good month with a 5.7 percent increase to $3.4 billion.

Utilities posted the state's largest increase - up 193 percent. Total reported sales in that category jumped from $24.5 million to more than $71.7 million for the month, with huge increases in several rural counties including Elko, Lander and Nye.

Only Lincoln County reported a significant decrease in total sales - 23.9 percent to $1.9 million. Lyon was down 0.10 percent to $28.4 million. That and the mining boom produced a 28.12 percent increase in Elko.

That mirrors July, when only three counties were down compared to the previous year.

Douglas County was up 4 percent to $49.6 million. Wholesale durable goods, motor vehicle sales, eating-drinking places and furniture stores logged strong increases but were offset by weaknesses in categories including general merchandise - Douglas's largest, after eating and drinking places.

Churchill County reported a 4.1 percent increase to just over $23 million. General merchandise stores, motor vehicle sales and wholesale categories, normally among the county's largest, were all off, but numerous smaller categories were up, more than offsetting those declines.

Washoe County was also up, by 2.1 percent to $468.6 million.

Clark County reported $2.4 billion in total sales, 3.5 percent more than August a year ago.

Statewide, motor vehicle sales were up 11.4 percent. That wasn't the only category showing a double-digit increase. Wholesalers of durable goods were up 17.8 percent, and clothing and accessories stores 11.5 percent.

County Taxable Sales Change from 8/10

Statewide $3.4 billion 5.7%

Carson City $69.84 million 11.7%

Churchill $23 million 4.1%

Clark County $2.4 billion 3.5%

Douglas $49.62 million 4%

Lyon $28.39 million -0.1%

Storey $5.75 million 2.1%

Washoe $468.59 million 2.1%