TAXABLE-SALES INCREASE OWED TO THE TIMING

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 9, 1993                   TAG: 9304090240
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
TAXABLE-SALES INCREASE OWED TO THE TIMING
February taxable sales increased by 25.6 percent in the Roanoke Valley but the growth apparently was largely a matter of timing for the state Department of Taxation, which collects the money and redistributes a portion to localities.
Jim Grisso, Roanoke's acting finance director, said he equates the increase "to when the state Taxation Department quit counting receipts."
In April, the state is distributing tax revenue for sales tax collections in March that were based on February sales. That means the figures are skewed because of closings of some offices by winter weather.
Overall, 28 of 30 Western Virginia localities recorded healthy taxable sales growth for February. Only Alleghany and Grayson counties had slight declines.
The Roanoke Valley sales total was $37 million higher than in February 1992.
State taxable sales increased 18 percent, or almost $600 million.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB