Brookhaven’s sales tax receipts are up from February, keeping year-to-date totals up, as well.

The city collected $437,490.64 in March from sales taxes, higher than February’s receipts by more than $7,500. The month’s receipts were $7,125.90 higher than March 2018, though not as high as that of March 2017, when receipts were $466,558.75.

Year-to-date totals for Brookhaven are $4,245,142.37 with the fiscal year beginning July 1. The previous year’s totals at the corresponding time were $4,205,958.48 — more than $39,000 behind the current fiscal year. Just as March 2017 was a higher month, the 2017 fiscal year was more abundant by the third month of the calendar year, with $4,294,254.10 having been diverted to the municipality up to that point.

Statewide, receipts were down for the month by $147,816.55, though year-to-date totals were higher than 2018 — $331.6 million opposed to $324.3 million — a $7.3 million difference. Fiscal year 2017 had performed better but ended the third quarter at $640,544 behind 2018’s totals.

Sales tax receipts for both the city and the state are higher than the previous month and higher than the previous year. Though the monthly totals reflect a dip from numbers two years ago, the year is well ahead.

Sales tax data is provided by the Mississippi Department of Revenue. Sales tax has a three month cycle. In Month 1, tax is collected by the retailer. In Month 2, tax is reported and paid to the Department of Revenue by the retailer. In Month 3, diversion is paid by the Department of Revenue to the cities. This report is based on the month the tax is collected at the Department of Revenue (Month 2).