County sales tax up 28 percent in March

WHITMAN COUNTY – Whitman County sales tax revenues increased 28 percent in March, over last year, in figures announced last week by the Washington Department of Revenue.

“That was indeed good news,” said Chris Nelson, county treasurer. “Especially with students leaving Pullman.”

As the COVID-19 virus spread and restrictions took hold in mid-March around the state, spending patterns changed.

Whitman County is to receive $196,274 in revenue for the month, compared to $152,874 for March 2019.

“Rather than going down to the valley or Spokane, people shopped closer to home or online,” said Nelson.

Sales tax from online purchases go to the county from which the order was placed.

Whitman County generally receives about $2 million per year from local sales tax.