ALBANY, N.Y. — Local government sales-tax collections across New York state increased in 2024 but the rise was the lowest in four years. The collections totaled $23.4 billion in calendar-year 2024, up by 1.6 percent, or $376 million, from 2023 levels, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a report issued on Feb. 7. […]
ALBANY, N.Y. — Local government sales-tax collections across New York state increased in 2024 but the rise was the lowest in four years.
The collections totaled $23.4 billion in calendar-year 2024, up by 1.6 percent, or $376 million, from 2023 levels, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a report issued on Feb. 7.
The 2024 figures represent the slowest annual growth since the COVID-19 pandemic decline in 2020. The growth in sales-tax collections last year was also less than half of the average, annual pre-pandemic growth rate (3.8 percent) of 2011-2019, following the Great Recession.
“New York’s local governments rely on sales tax collections to support essential services in their communities,” DiNapoli said in his report. “Sales tax growth slowed in 2024, and many counties and cities even experienced declines. This slowing growth, combined with economic risks and potential changes at the federal level, calls for careful budgeting on the part of local officials to effectively navigate these uncertain times.”
Although annual growth in local collections in 2024 dipped below pre-pandemic lows, quarterly year-over year growth — ranging from 1.3 percent in the fourth quarter to 2.2 percent in the second quarter — resembled growth rates in some of the years prior to the pandemic.
Collection data
New York City’s sales-tax growth of 2.8 percent in 2024 outpaced the rest of the state (0.6 percent) for the third straight year. Growth in the city’s collections was boosted by increases in the number of tourists, which nearly matched 2019 levels for the first time since the pandemic, DiNapoli’s office said.
Aggregate county collections outside of New York City grew 0.5 percent, or $53.9 million, in 2024 compared to the prior year. However, year-over-year growth varied among counties, with over half (31 of 57) reporting increases.
St. Lawrence County generated the highest growth in sales-tax collections at 5.6 percent, followed by Greene (3.7 percent), Otsego (3.6 percent), and Westchester (3.3 percent) counties.
Tioga County had the steepest decline in tax collections (-4.5 percent), followed by Allegany (-4.4 percent), Putnam (-3.6 percent), and Chenango (-3.4 percent) counties.
Of the 18 cities outside of New York City that impose their own sales tax, 13 saw year-over-year increases in 2024. Gloversville had the strongest growth at 7.3 percent, followed by Oswego (5.9 percent) and Saratoga Springs (5.4 percent). Five cities posted decreases in sales-tax collections — Norwich had the steepest decline (-6.6 percent), followed by Mount Vernon (-4.6 percent), Salamanca (-3.8 percent), Oneida (-3.2 percent), and Olean (-2.7 percent).
