March sales-tax revenues show increase

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Sales-tax revenues for every county in the Mahoning Valley increased year over year in March.

Data recently released by the Ohio Department Taxation shows the revenues the counties received in May from March sales.

Sales tax is added on most items, including employment services, lawn care, fitness memberships and dry- cleaning. Several items are exempt, including food and prescription medication.

The revenue generated goes to the county governments.

Mahoning County, which has had a sales-tax rate of 1.25 percent since April 1, 2015, garnered revenue of $3,355,902 in March.

In comparison, at a rate of 1 percent, the county received $2,635,191 in March 2015.

From January to March 2016, the county has received $10,755,280. From January to March 2015, the county received sales-tax revenue of $8,552,881.

At a sales-tax rate of 1 percent, Trumbull County’s March 2016 revenue was $2,049,435. Last March, the county brought in $1,948,589.

From January to March this year, the county’s sales-tax revenue was $6,607,456 compared with the $6,221,742 the county received from January to March 2015.

In Columbiana County, the sales-tax rate is 1.50 percent. In March 2016, the county brought in $1,357,742 compared with $1,314,390 received last year.

From January to March this year, the county brought in $4,056,221 compared with $4,033,101 received from January to March 2015.

The Western Reserve Transit Authority also receives sales-and-use-tax funds at a 0.25 percent rate. In March 2016, the WRTA received $670,363 compared with $646,286 received in March 2015.

From January to March this year, the WRTA brought in $2,149,668 compared with $2,121,985 brought in from January to March 2015.