NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Local Sales Tax Collections Total 6.1 Billion, Up 5.1% in First Quarter

Local government sales tax collections totaled $6.1 billion in the first quarter (January-March) of 2026, an increase of 5.1% ($295 million) compared to the same quarter last year. Nine of the 10 regions in the state, including New York City, had a year-over-year increase in collections, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. First quarter growth statewide was higher than the year-over-year growth for the same quarter in 2024 (1.6%) and 2025 (3.2%) “Local sales tax collections experienced a substantial increase in the first quarter compared to last year, but growth varied significantly by region,” DiNapoli said. “An economic slowdown due to geopolitical conflicts and federal actions could affect future tax collections, and local governments must be cautious in estimating this revenue.” New York City’s sales tax collections totaled over $2.8 billion in the first quarter, an increase of 6.2% ($166 million), year over year. Meanwhile, aggregate first quarter collections for counties and cities outside the city grew by 3.9% ($107 million). Regional increases ranged from 0.5% (Mohawk Valley) to 5.8% (Central New York), with the Finger Lakes being the only region to see a year-over-year decline (-1.2%). Over 80% (47 of 57) of counties outside of New York City experienced a year-over-year increase in first quarter collections, with 39% seeing over 5% growth. Ulster County had the highest quarterly growth at 10.7%, followed by Genesee County at 9.7%, Seneca County at 9.6%, and Saratoga and Cattaraugus counties at 8.4% each. Among the 10 counties that had decreases in first quarter collections, Sullivan saw the steepest decline at -13.7%, followed by Montgomery (-8.1%), Lewis (-6.6%) and Monroe (-5.1%). Ten of 18 of the cities outside of New York City that impose their own sales tax experienced year-over-year growth in the first quarter. Ogdensburg had the largest increase at 27.2%, followed by Olean (11.7%) and Oswego (8.9%). Conversely, the cities of Salamanca, Glens Falls and Mount Vernon saw decreases in collections at -16.1%, -7.2% and -4.6%, respectively. Report First Quarter 2026 Local Sales Taxes Data Regional Table with Detailed Sales Tax Collections by County and City