N.W. Corridor Antes Up With Sales, Use Taxes

Three of the top four and five of the top 20 counties in Arkansas for state sales and use tax collection are in the northwest corridor. A complete listing of all 75 counties and their 2004 collections is here.

The six-county area saw a 20.9 percent jump in state sales and use taxes from 2003 to 2004, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Roger Haney, Washington Countys treasurer, said it was the biggest single-year increase he remembers since the 1992-1993 tallies.

Theres a little bit of that related to temporary sales taxes in some communities, Haney said. But overall, the increase in tax collections is most related to the influx of new people to the region.

The big companies bringing more people in with above-average salaries is a factor. They have more money to spend, and theres lots of home growth and its all tied into the population growth.

Three local counties ??”??” Benton, Washington and Crawford ??”??” were among 16 statewide that saw at least a 20 percent increase in sales and use collections.

Benton County saw the highest local increase in sales and uses taxes with a 28.44 percent leap from 2003 to 2004. It was second statewide behind Jackson Countys 33.74 percent gain, although the amount of Benton Countys totals was significantly higher.