New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli reports that the pandemic is continuing to hit local economies. January sales tax collections across the state were down nearly six percent from the same time last year. This equated to a $95 million drop overall. The decline was less than that experienced in December or in the months at the beginning of the pandemic.
In Western New York, Erie County was down nearly six percent, or approximately $4 million. Niagara County saw a nearly three percent drop.
The least affected area was Allegany County which saw virtually no change.