Main Banner

NEWS from the Office of the New York State Comptroller
Contact: Press Office 518-474-4015

        

DiNapoli: Local Sales Tax Collections Total $12.7 Billion in First Half of 2026, Up 6.8% Over Last Year

July 30, 2026

Local government sales tax collections totaled $12.7 billion in the first half of 2026, an increase of 6.8% ($803 million) compared to the same period last year, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The 6.8% increase in collections was stronger than the year-over-year growth in the same period in 2025 (3.7%) and more than three times higher than the rate in 2024 (1.9%).

“New York’s local sales tax collections grew significantly in the first half of 2026 compared to last year, but this rate of growth may not last,” DiNapoli said. “This growth is due in part to higher prices for goods and services as a result of higher tariffs and global conflicts. Local officials should be cautious in estimating future revenue amid the current economic uncertainties and harmful federal policies.”

Findings from DiNapoli’s report 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 $5.8 billion in the first half, an increase of 7.8% ($418 million), higher than the increase in the same period in 2025 (4.7%).
  • Outside of New York City, aggregate first-half collections for counties and cities grew by 5.6% ($324 million), which was double the increase experienced in the same period in 2025 (2.8%).
  • Regionally, first-half growth outside of New York City ranged from a low of 2.8% (North Country) to a high of 7.1% (Long Island).
  • Fifty-two out of 57 counties experienced an increase in first-half sales tax collections.
  • Seneca County saw the highest growth in the first half at 16.5%, followed by the counties of Genesee (12.5%), Suffolk and Wyoming (both 9.2%) and Niagara (8.9%).
  • Among the five counties that had decreases in first-half collections, Sullivan County saw the steepest decline at -5.3%, followed by Lewis (-3.0%), Hamilton (-2.9%), Cortland (-2.8%) and St. Lawrence (-2.6%).
  • Thirteen out of 18 cities outside of New York City that impose their own sales tax experienced growth in the first half. Ogdensburg had the largest increase at 22.8%, followed by White Plains (11.3%) and Olean (9.6%). Conversely, Salamanca saw the steepest decline in collections at -5.3%, followed by the cities of Gloversville (-5.2%) and Norwich (-3.7%).

Report

Local Sales Tax Collections in the First Half of 2026

Data

Regional Table with Detailed Sales Tax Collections by County and City