State sales tax revenues for July jumped with the largest monthly growth in over three years. Finance and Administration Commissioner Dave Goetz today reported July’s total revenue collections were up from July of last year. The last month in which sales tax collections exceeded this month’s growth rate was April of 2007.

 

“We believe the growth in both sales and corporate tax collections point to an economic recovery in Tennessee; however, we will continue to be cautious, keeping our budget in balance as we move forward,” Goetz said. “Franchise and Excise tax collections showed negative growth for the month, but this can be attributed to significant one-time payments received in July of 2009.The year-to-date growth in our corporate tax collections have shown considerable improvement over last year, posting a gain of over 4 percent,” Goetz said.

 

Overall, July revenues were $833.6 million or $22.5 million more than the state budgeted.

 

On an accrual basis, July is the twelfth month in the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

 

The general fund was over collected by $28.0 million, and the four other funds were under collected by $5.5 million.

 

Sales tax collections were $1.0 million less than the estimate for July. The July growth rate was 5.94%. For twelve months revenues are under collected by $225.7 million. The year-to-date growth rate for twelve months was negative 2.25%.

 

Franchise and excise taxes combined were $7.5 million over the budgeted estimate of $44.0 million. The growth rate for July was negative 36.40%. For twelve months revenues are over collected by $83.3 million and the year-to-date growth rate was positive 4.01%.

 

Inheritance and estate tax collections were $1.8 million above the July estimate. For twelve months

collections are $10.4 million below the budgeted estimate.

 

Privilege tax collections were $1.1 million below the July budgeted estimate. For twelve months collections are $24.8 million less than the budgeted estimate, and the year-to date growth rate was negative 3.15%.

 

Tobacco tax collections were $1.2 million above the budgeted estimate of $25.3 million. For twelve months revenues are over collected by $1.2 million.

 

Gasoline and motor fuel tax collections for July decreased by 0.36 %. For twelve months revenues are under collected by $8.2 million.

  

Year-to-date collections for twelve months were $203.0 million less than the budgeted estimate. The general fund was under collected by $151.3 million and the four other funds were under collected by $51.7 million.