Missouri revenue helped by March growth

Missouri's general revenue collections saw a healthy increase in March but remain down for the year to date, the state reported Monday.

Net collections for fiscal 2009 to date are at $5.4 billion, down 0.6 percent from $5.43 billion a year ago. That's an improvement from the 1.4 percent year-to-date decline posted in February.

For March, collections grew 6.3 percent to $561.9 million, compared to $528.5 million in March 2008.

Sales and use tax collections are down 4.6 percent for the year at $1.43 billion but increased 13.3 percent for the month.

Individual income tax collections are up 2.2 percent for the year at $4.15 billion but fell 4.9 percent for the month.

Corporate income and corporate franchise tax collections are down 9.9 percent for the year at $349.7 million and fell 23.6 percent for the month.

All other collections are down 1.7 percent for the year at $355.1 million but increased 4.6 percent for the month.

Refunds are up 0.8 percent for the year at $890.9 million but were down 22.4 percent for the month.