FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – State General Fund revenue in February showed a hefty increase over pre-pandemic February 2020, according to figures released by the State Budget Director’s office on Wednesday.

February’s General Fund receipts rose 4.6 percent compared to February of last year, an increase of $40.2 million.  Total revenues for the month were $924.2 million, compared to $884.0 million during February 2020.  Receipts have now grown 5.6 percent for the first eight months of FY21.

The official revenue estimate calls for 1.4 percent revenue growth for the entire fiscal year.  To meet the official revenue estimate, receipts can fall 6.7 percent over the last four months of the fiscal year.

State Budget Director John Hicks noted February’s growth was based heavily on sales tax receipts which grew by 14.4 percent.

“The $600 stimulus check received in January by many Kentucky households clearly resulted in higher consumer spending,” he stated.  “Even with that, the sales tax has grown 7.0 percent in the last three months and by 6.5 percent year-to-date.  Total revenue growth through the first eight months of FY21 for the General Fund has been 5.6 percent over the prior year, as all of the major taxes are outpacing the revenue estimate assumptions.”

His bottom line, “With the expected new round of federal fiscal stimulus, as well as the revenue growth to date, it is highly likely that there will be a revenue surplus this fiscal year.”

Gov. Andy Beshear noted Tuesday that the latest federal stimulus package will be worth around $2.6 billion to Kentucky.

In addition to the sales tax receipts, which have grown 6.5% for the first eight months of the fiscal year:

— Combined corporation income and LLET tax receipts were $12.1 million more than collected in February 2020.  A large increase in corporate declarations offset a decrease in net returns.  For the year, these two revenue sources have increased 26.3 percent.

— While individual income tax collections fell 0.4 percent in February, collections have grown 4.0 percent though the first eight months of the year.  Net returns and fiduciary collections increased for the month which offset declines in withholding and estimated payments.

— Property tax collections grew 4.5 percent for the month and have increased 5.5 percent year-to-date.— Cigarette tax receipts rose 16.0 percent for the month, partially offsetting a 20.3 percent decline in January. Through the first eight months of FY21, cigarette tax receipts have decreased 0.1 percent.

— Coal severance tax receipts decreased 13.6 percent in February and are down 11.0 percent through the first eight months of the fiscal year.

The news was not as good for the Road Fund, as receipts for February totaled $125.8 million, a 2.0 percent decrease over February 2020 levels.  Year-to-date receipts for FY21 have increased 0.3 percent.

Motor fuels collections declined for the 11^th consecutive month while motor vehicle usage tax receipts saw a small uptick.

The official Road Fund revenue estimate call for revenues to increase 5.8 percent for the fiscal year, so based on year-to-date tax collections, revenues must increase 18.3 percent for the remainder of the year to meet the official estimate.

The state’s 2021 fiscal year ends June 30.