PROVIDENCE – March 2017 1 percent meal and beverage tax collections increased $252,682 year over year, the R.I. Department of Revenue said in a report issued on Friday, an increase of 12.5 percent. Total collections in March equaled $2.27 million.
Providence saw the largest increase in collections year over year in March with an increase of $133,177, a 28.8 percent increase to $595,722. March collections in Scituate saw the largest percentage increase in the state, increasing $4,249, an 85.7 percent rise year over year to $9,206.
However, Scituate meal and beverage tax collections have decreased the largest percent of any municipality in the state fiscal year to date, falling 20.2 percent, a decline of $9,982 year over year.
Year over year in the month of March, South Kingston saw the largest decline in meals and beverage tax revenue, falling $21,175, the third-worst percentage decrease in the state at 26.8 percent.
New Shoreham saw the largest proportionate decline with a 32.8 percent slide year over year, a decline of $838.
Fiscal year to date, East Greenwich has experienced the largest revenue growth from the 1 percent meals and beverage tax, increasing 26 percent, or $129,771, year over year.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
