State tax haul jumps
16 percent in fiscal year

The state took in a total of just under $4 billion in taxes in the fiscal year ended June 30, a 16 percent increase over the previous fiscal year, the state Department of Taxation announced yesterday.

In all, $373.26 million was added to the general fund in June, pushing the 2005 fiscal year total to $3.99 billion, up from $3.44 billion the year before.

As late as May 30, the state Council on Revenues had raised its tax revenue growth forecast fiscal 2005 to 14.6 percent, up from its March forecast of 10 percent. The council sets the revenue forecast on which the governor and Legislature base the state budget

Gov. Linda Lingle had responded to the council's latest forecast by saying island residents should be allowed to benefit from the state's vibrant economy by receiving tax relief. Lingle was in Washington, D.C., yesterday and did not comment on the revenue report.

Last month, the state collected $184.55 million in general excise and use taxes, the greatest single category of collections, upping the 12-month take to $2.13 billion, a 12.4 percent increase over the $1.9 billion collected in fiscal 2004.

Hotel room tax revenues grew 9.3 percent during fiscal 2005 to $198.77 million.