By Hank Russell
Long Island saw an increase in its sales tax collections this past quarter, based on a recent report from the New York State Comptroller’s office. During each of those three months, the region had a strong performance, while Nassau and Suffolk Counties saw uneven performances from month to month.
During the third quarter, Long Island collected $934.7 million in sales tax, an increase of 1.7% over the same quarter last year, in which $919.5 million was collected, according to the comptroller’s office. During each of the three months, Long Island saw positive gains overall. In July 2024, sales tax collections were up 0.2% from July 2023 at $291.8 million. Last July, sales tax collections were at $291.3 million. August’s sales tax collections were $292.7 million — a 2.8% increase; $284.7 million was collected last August. In September, sales tax collections were up year-over-year by a 2.0% clip, from $343.5 million to $350.3 million.
Nassau County’s sales tax collections rose this quarter by 1.2% to $403.6 million from $398.8 million in Q3 2023, based on data from the comptroller’s office. The county had a strong first two months. July’s sales tax collections improved by 1.7% from $124.4 million in July 2023 to $126.5 million in July 2024. In August, collections were up 4.9% from $121.4 million in August 2023 to $127.4 million. However. September 2024 collections fell by 2.2% from $153.0 million last September to $149.7 million.
In Suffolk County, quarterly sales tax collections this year were at $529.5 million, up 2.0% from Q3 2023 at $519.4 million. July’s collections were off by 1.1% from $166.5 million last year to $164.8 million. But the county’s performance improved over the next two months. In August 2024, collections were at $164.9 million — a 1.2% increase, compared to $162.9 million last August. Suffolk finished the quarter strong, seeing a 5.2% increase in September to $199.8 million, whereas September 2023’s numbers were at $189.9 million, according to the comptroller’s office.
Percentage-wise, Long Island outperformed the state, which saw a 1.4% increase. The comptroller’s office reported this was the lowest yearly increase after seeing pandemic-induced declines.
“Local sales tax collections are growing more slowly than they were in the pre-pandemic period,” Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli (D-Great Neck Plaza) said. “Given this lower year-over-year growth, local officials should temper their expectations for future sales tax revenues.”
