Rensco Again Shows Strong Sales Tax Numbers
Submitted by the Office of County Executive McLaughlin
Rensselaer County showed strong numbers for sales tax in a month to month comparison released on February 18 by the New York State Comptroller’s office, County Executive Steve McLaughlin announced.
The report issued today by the office of State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli showed Rensselaer County with a 13 percent increase for January in a month to month comparison of 2020 and 2021. The report also showed that Rensselaer County was the only county in the region to show growth in January month to month in 2020 and 2021.
“We appreciate that more and more residents and shoppers are coming to Rensselaer County and have the confidence to make important purchases in our county,” said McLaughlin.
The Executive said the numbers released by the State Comptroller are the latest good news for the county. Earlier this month, the State Comptroller also released a report showing Rensselaer County sales tax revenues in 2020 grew while sales tax revenues across the state declined by 10 percent.
The 2020 numbers follow a strong performance in 2019 by the county, which had the highest growth in the state. The county increased by 8.4 percent from 2018 to 2019.
The county’s fiscal policies have helped boost sales tax performance, said McLaughlin. The county has reduced taxes slightly each of the past three years and strengthened the county bond rating and independent financial reviews.
“There are more options as to where to shop close to home, and the fact that taxes have been reduced also is a positive,” said McLaughlin.
An expanded retail base in areas of the county, including North Greenbush, East Greenbush and Brunswick, has helped generate growth. More shoppers also had fewer options to travel or spend money out of town during the pandemic. The internet sales tax also was a contributing factor.
“This is good news for county taxpayers and good news for the cities, towns and villages that share in this solid growth,” said McLaughlin.