Dinapoli: Local Sales Tax Collections Total $11.9 Billion In First Half Of 2025, Up 3.7% Over Prior Year
Local government sales tax collections totaled $11.9 billion in the first half of 2025, an increase of 3.7% ($423 mil lion) compared to the same period last year, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Year-over-year growth in collections during the first half of 2025 almost doubled that for the same period last year (1.9%) and was nearly the same as the average growth rate for the January to June period from 2010 to 2019 during the recovery and expansion following the Great Recession.
“While New York’s local sales tax collections experienced stronger growth in the first half of 2025, future revenues may become less predictable as local communities weather federal policy changes, inflation and other eco nomic factors,” said DiNapoli. “Local officials should continue to take advantage of all the financial tools and guidance my office has to offer to help them strengthen their finances and resiliency amid these uncertain times.”
Findings from DiNapoli’s report on sales tax collections in the first half of 2025 include:
Each of the state’s 10 economic development regions, including New York City, experienced a year-over year increase in first-half collections.
New York City’s sales tax collections totaled nearly $5.4 billion in the first half of 2025, an increase of 4.7% ($242 million), year over year, while aggregate collections for the counties and cities in the rest of the state grew by 2.8% ($156 million).
Outside of New York City, regional growth ranged from a low of 1.3% (Mohawk Valley) to a high of 4.6% (Southern Tier).
Nearly 86% of counties experienced a year-over year increase in first-half collections.
Hamilton County saw the highest growth in the first half at 14.6%, followed by the counties of Delaware (12.9%), Orleans (12.1%) and Chenango (11.7%). Several other counties experienced strong growth, including Oswego (9.1%), Schenectady (8.4%) and both Franklin and Madison (8%).
Among the eight counties that had decreases in first-half collections, St. Lawrence saw the steepest decline at -5.7%, followed by Livings ton (-5.1%) and both Sullivan and Schoharie (-2.9%).
Nearly 75% of cit ies outside of New York City that impose their own sales tax experienced growth in the first half. Norwich had the largest increase at 19.3%, followed by Salamanca (15.4%). Conversely, the cities of Ogdensburg, Johnstown, Glens Falls, Mount Vernon and Utica each saw decreases in collections, ranging from -0.6% to -4%