The city of Brookhaven brought in $491,245.77 in sales tax for the month of April.

Up approximately $57,000 from March, the amount is down somewhat from 2019’s $517,383.92. The year-to-date total of $4.788 million is higher, however, than the same measure one year ago at $4.762 million.

While the closure of many businesses in the wake of COVID-19 precautions may have temporarily affected the monthly sales tax figures, the year-to-date total remains above 2019.

Statewide, city diversions — including $35,318.67 from state universities and community colleges — totaled $37,808,571.89, up about $3.5 million from the previous month, though down $2.8 million from April 2019. The state’s year-to-date total is $372.8 million, up approximately $470,000 from 2019’s corresponding data.

Cleveland and McComb are the two municipalities in Mississippi closest in residential population to that of the Home Seekers Paradise — slightly less and slightly more, respectively. April receipts for Cleveland were $346,099.97, up $38,500 from March. The city’s year-to-date total was $3.29 million, up almost $1.5 million from 2019.

McComb’s April receipts were $477,331.70, up $47,300 from March. The year-to-date total was $4.61 million, up $460,000 from 2019’s number.

Across the Magnolia State, 33 cities have larger populations than Brookhaven. Of these, 12 brought in lower tax receipts than Brookhaven for March. These included Canton, Clarksdale, Clinton, Gautier, Greenwood, Grenada, Hernando, Long Beach, Moss Point, Natchez and Ocean Springs.

The capital city of Jackson, with the state’s largest population, received $2.126 million in tax receipts for March, up $13,000 from March. The municipality’s year-to-date of $22.633 million was up $2.1 million from one year ago.

Six other cities brought in sales tax receipts of more than $1 million for April — Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Ridgeland, Southaven and Tupelo.

Thirty-seven towns or cities brought in tax receipts of less than $1,000 for April. Three brought in less than $100 — Gattman, $88.55 (down $10 from March); Paulding, $22.53 (down from $83.34 in March); and Satartia, $82.05 (down from $107.72). Satartia also has the state’s lowest population, at nine persons.

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, sales tax income (“diversion”) is paid by the DMDOR to cities. This report is based on the month the tax is collected at the MDOR (Month 2).