The first quarter of the 2022 gross receipt tax report has been compiled for both South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County. For the City, gross receipts from January through March were 14 percent above the first sales period in 2021, mainly due to an increase in causal dining receipts. For the unincorporated area of El Dorado County, gross receipts during the same time period were 19 percent above the same three-month period in 2021.
Some of the reasons were adjustments made for delayed payments, audit of receipts, and other reporting modifications. In South Lake Tahoe, actual sales were up 7 percent and overall place of sale collections rose almost 9 percent. For the unincorporated El Dorado County, actual sales were up 12.9 percent, and place of sale collections soared 15 percent compared to a year ago.
The regional economy demonstrated strength during the first three months of the year. While there were some lingering effects of the Caldor Fire, the results were strong.
The City’s largest sales tax group, restaurants-hotels continued rebounding
with a 29 percent gain.
“Casual dining experiences lured people out to local eateries – which may have contributed to a dip in grocery and convenience store revenues,” according to the City’s report.
With the global cost of crude oil causing higher gas prices, and more commuters in the region, revenue from fuel-service stations also improved.
“Restaurants, especially casual dining, experienced another sensational sales period as patrons seemed unfazed by more expensive menus and enjoyed the experience of dining out,” the County said in their report.
Results for the two South Lake Tahoe tax Measures Q and S reflected much of the same, with support from merchandise sales and restaurant activity.
Use taxes generated by online sales and purchases from out-of-state vendors
allocated via the county pools is up 13 percent, City up 3.4 percent.
Statewide, the results were similar with sales taxes for the first quarter 17 percent higher than the same quarter one year ago.
For California, these results mark the fourth full quarter in a row that restaurant and hotel receipts have increased. While higher menu prices have contributed, steady demand by patrons to dine out propelled the gains January-March.
Top 25 sales tax contributors for Q1 in South Lake Tahoe in alphabetical order: Aisle 1, Azul Latin Kitchen, Base Camp Pizza Co, California Burger, Cannablue, CVS Pharmacy, Do it Yourself Home Center, Embarc Tahoe, Fire Ice Grill & Bar, Heavenly Sports, Jim Bagan Toyota, KB Chevron, McDonald’s, McP’s Pub Tahoe, Meeks Building Center, Powder House, Raley’s, Riva Grill on the Lake, Ross, Safeway, Safeway Fuel, Sports Ltd, Tahoe Wellness, TJ Maxx, Up Shirt Creek.
Top 25 sales tax contributors for Q1 in unincorporated El Dorado County in alphabetical order: 7 Eleven, Arco AM PM, Broadridge Output Solutions, Cameron Park Shell, Chevron, Crystal View Station, CVS Pharmacy, Dawson Oil, El Dorado Truss, Express Fuel, Green Valley Arco, Heavenly Valley Cal Base Lodge, Lees Feed & Western Store, Meeks Building Center, Mercedes Benz of El Dorado Hills, Musco Sports Lighting, My Goods Market, Quik Stop, Safeway, Safeway Fuel, Shingle Springs Honda, Shingle Springs Subaru, Target, True Value Hardware, Walmart.