Sales taxes paid in Brookhaven during 2023 are outperforming 2022 totals.

So far in Fiscal Year 2023, which began July 1, the city has received $2,428,828.02 from diversions returned to the city from the Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR). At the same point in 2022, just $2,268,150.08 had been received.

Municipalities receive 18.5 percent of the 7-percent sales tax the State of Mississippi collects. For every $100 spent on taxable items, an additional $7 is charged in sales tax. Of that $7, $1.295 is returned to the city in which the item was purchased.

In the month of October 2023, Brookhaven received $583,653.74 in sales tax revenue, compared to $574,166.36 in October 2022.

Each month in the current fiscal year has performed better than the previous year — July (nearly $20,000 more); August (almost $48,000 more); and September (more than $83,000 over the previous September).

Fiscal Year 2022 ended with $6.94 million in sales tax returned to Brookhaven — $310,000 more than the previous year.

Brookhaven is the 36^th most populous city in the state, with 11,608 residents at the most recent census. The DOR lists more than 420 cities and towns, or other entities that collect sales tax.

Twelve cities received more than $1 million in tax diversions, with Jackson collecting the most at $2.53 million. Seven towns or entities received less than $100, with Paulding collecting only $26.15. The unincorporated community in Jasper County has a population of 838 and is the 217^th most populated area in Mississippi. Satartia, a town of only 37 and ranked as 410^th by population, is the smallest incorporated area listed by DOR as having received tax diversions — $131.91.