The U.S. Census Bureau has released an interactive mapping tool comparing 2019 and 2020 monthly sales tax revenue at the state level (in states where the data is available) in five product categories: general sales, lodging, alcoholic beverages, motor fuel and tobacco products. Typically, we prefer to zoom in a little closer to home when we look at data, but what has us delightfully distracted by this one is the ability to compare Georgia’s revenue in these areas to that of other states, as well as the clear impact the pandemic had in spring 2020.
The map below shows the percent change in September general sales tax revenues between 2019 and 2020, and here we can see that Georgia saw modest gains in 2020 over 2019, at 9.94 percent.
Below, we’re going further into the past, with a look at the percent difference between June 2019 and 2020. Here, again, we can see Georgia experienced moderate year-over-year growth, though many states saw negative change.
Finally, here’s a look at the percent difference between April 2019 and April 2020. Here, we see declines in every state with available data. Remember, this was the month that Georgia, along with a host of other states, put shelter in place orders and other measures in place to slow the spread of coronavirus.
For anyone looking for a truly engrossing data dive, we recommend getting lost in the monthly details of the other tax streams … particularly alcohol and tobacco.
Click here to see the tool on the U.S. Census’ site, along with the data and methodology.