Sports

State tax office releases fourth quarter taxable sales and purchases with a little confusion involved

By Scott Wagar

04/14/2015

A revision has been made by the Office of the State Tax Commissioner after an error was detected in a high increase in taxable sales and purchases in Bottineau County, which in turn increased the percent growth by a considerable amount for the entire state.

With the error found, the State Commissioner Officer on Friday afternoon sent out a press release correcting the mistake.

“Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger announced today that North Dakota’s taxable sales and purchases for the fourth quarter of 2014 had a noticeable increase,” stated the press release.

‘Taxable sales and purchases for October, November and December of 2014 were $7.822 billion, a 15.5 percent increase over those months in 2013. 

“North Dakota oil prices were 27 percent lower during the fourth quarter of 2014 than during the fourth quarter of 2013,” the press release added. “Thirteen of the 15 major sectors reported taxable sales and purchases gains when compared to the fourth quarter a year ago. Most notably, the mining and oil extraction sector increased by $409.4 million (a 37.69 percent increase), the wholesale trade sector increased by $300.9 million (a 17.27 percent increase), and the retail trade sector increased by $84.6 million (a 4.59 percent increase).”

Bottineau County was originally ranked the highest in taxable sales and purchase for the fourth quarter when it came to all counties in North Dakota, but dropped in rankings after the error was found. However, Bottineau County was still placed high in the rankings after it was corrected, which included the five following counties. 

● Dunn County – Increase of 80.62 percent
● Sioux County – Increase of 77.12 percent
● Slope County – Increase of 57.80 percent
● McKenzie County – Increase of 54.61 percent
● Bottineau County – Increase of 37.04 percent

In the category of the highest percentage increase in fourth quarter taxable sales and purchases when compared to the fourth quarter in 2013, the 50 largest cities in North Dakota included: 

● Watford City – Increase of 62.60 percent
● Beach – Increase of 31.21 percent
● Stanley – Increase of 29.12 percent
● Lincoln – Increase of 17.02 percent
● Dickinson – Increase of 15.40 percent

Rauschenberger stated in the press release that he is pleased with the 2014 fourth quarter taxable sales and purchases in the state.

“It is remarkable that we continue to see growth on this level,” Rauschenberger said. “Such strong growth is all the more remarkable when you consider that oil prices had already begun a significant decline during the fourth quarter of 2014. 

“Consumer confidence is often measured by looking at the change in retail trade sector taxable sales and purchases.” Rauschenberger said. “Retail during the fourth quarter, which includes the holiday shopping season, saw more than a 4 percent increase over fourth quarter last year.”