State says taxable sales up, but by lowest amount in two years

By Cy Ryan

Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013 | 4:22 p.m.

Taxable sales, one indicator of the economy in Nevada, inched up 1.3 percent in June, the lowest percentage gain in at least two years.

The state Department of Taxation said Tuesday merchants reported sales of $3.9 billion, or $46 million more than in June 2012.

Six counties including Clark reported decreases in total business activity.

For the fiscal year that ended June 30, taxable sales statewide reached $45.2 billion compared to the previous 12 months of $42.9 billion.

The department reported that statewide sales in June showed an increase of 43.1 percent in the construction industry classification; motor vehicles up 7.8 percent and a 5.7 percent gain in furniture sales.

But statewide bars and restaurant sales declined 0.3 percent and accommodations were down 0.6 percent.

Clark County sales totaled $2.8 billion for June, down 0.3 percent.

Taxable sales for utilities in Clark County in June fell 94 percent; support activities for mining were down 77 percent and heavy and civil engineering construction was off 50.2 percent.

The department however reported sales of building materials jumped 11.6 percent in Clark County during the month compared to the previous year; auto sales rose 6.9 percent; furniture business was up 5.6 percent but sales in bars and restaurants rose only 0.7 percent.

For the seventh straight month, taxable sales in Washoe County increased this June by six percent to $5.8 billion. Carson City merchants recorded a gain of only 0.3 percent. With the drop in gold prices, sales in Elko County fell by 12 percent.

The department said the state collected $77.9 million in sales tax for June, an increase of 2.2 percent.