COUNTY SALES TAX REVENUE BOUNCES BACK FOLLOWING COVID ECONOMY CRASH

Sales tax revenue higher than projected for the first six months of 2021

(BUFFALO) – Erie County Comptroller Stefan I. Mychajliw Jr. released sales tax revenue figures for the first half of 2021, and numbers show Erie County recovering from the financial setbacks of last year, brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Erie County collected $456.9 million in sales tax revenue for the first six months of 2021, compared to $361.9 million for the first half of 2020, when COVID-19 first forced the closure of stores, restaurants, schools, hotels, and other businesses. 

“This proves COVID-19 closures crippled the economy and destroyed small businesses. Once government driven lockdowns were lifted businesses saw life again. This is a great sign. Taxpayers are spending their hard-earned dollars in Erie County again,” said Erie County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw. 

In an overall year-to-year comparison, first half sales tax revenue increased 26.2% from first half of 2020 to 2021, as many COVID-19 mandates have now been lifted.

“While I am pleased with rebounding revenue and the revival of the economy, politicians should see this as a sign: do not lock down businesses again. If mask and social distancing restrictions are put back in place it will drive down sales tax revenue and damage businesses,” concluded Comptroller Mychajliw.

For pdf of letter, click HERE