El Paso tax rebates up 4.3% for November sales

El Paso’s state sales tax rebates — an indication of the health of the retail sector — increased 4.3 percent for November retail sales, including Black Friday sales, compared with the same time a year ago, new data show.

El Paso’s rate of increase was slightly below the statewide average of 4.8 percent for Texas cities, and well below most other major Texas cities, the Texas comptroller report shows.

The latest rebates include Black Friday on Nov. 25, the traditional kickoff of the Christmas shopping season.

The city of El Paso received $6.98 million in state sales tax rebates this month for November sales — an increase of $287,306 compared with the same time last year.

The money goes into the city’s general fund.

Most other major Texas cities had larger percentage increases: Fort Worth, up 14.2 percent; Austin, up 9.9 percent; Lubbock, up 8.5 percent; Dallas, up 8 percent; and San Antonio, up 9 percent. A few metro areas had decreases, or small increases: Midland, up 1 percent; McAllen, down 3 percent; and Houston, down 5 percent.

Vic Kolenc may be reached at 546-6421; vkolenc@elpasotimes.com; @vickolenc on Twitter.