Double Digit Growth In State’s November Sales Tax Revenue

Sales tax revenue is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 58 percent of all tax collections…

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said today that state sales tax revenue totaled $2.78 billion in November, 11.1 percent more than in November 2016. 

“The double-digit growth in sales tax revenue compared to last year was fueled, in part, by increased collections from oil- and natural gas-related sectors,” Hegar said. “Recent higher oil prices have spurred increased well drilling and completion. Collections from retail trade and restaurants were also up, reflecting growth in consumer spending.”

Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in November 2017 was up 9.5 percent compared to the same period a year ago. Sales tax revenue is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 58 percent of all tax collections. Motor vehicle sales and rental taxes, motor fuel taxes and oil and natural gas production taxes also are large revenue sources for the state.

In November 2017, Texas collected the following revenue from those taxes: 

• motor vehicle sales and rental taxes — $415.3 million, up 9.2 percent from November 2016 (vehicle purchases to replace cars damaged by Hurricane Harvey continued to boost those tax collections);
• motor fuel taxes — $308.2 million, up 1.7 percent from November 2016; and
• oil and natural gas production taxes — $354.6 million, up 39.9 percent from November 2016.