Recession affecting area sales tax receipts

By Doug Russell, News Editor

Sept. 3 — The economic recession is hitting the coffers of all area counties, as well as six of nine area communities, which saw lower sales tax receipts in August than they did for the same time one year ago.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission in August distributed sales tax receipts for taxes collected for June 16 to July 15.

Three communities, Kinta, Porum and Whitefield, saw sales tax receipts rise in the August distribution, while receipts fell in Stigler, Keota, Eufaula, McCurtain, Tamaha and Quinton saw a decline in sales tax receipts.

Although Stigler’s sales tax receipts were down, the city’s use tax receipts were up. The same is true for Haskell County and each of the surrounding six counties, as well as three other of six area communities that have a use tax.

Use tax is for items used in one area but actually purchased in another. For example, if lumber for a building that’s being constructed in Stigler is purchased in Muskogee, the city of Stigler receives use tax for the lumber.

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