News

State finance commissioner predicts recession amid plummeting tax revenue

State finance commissioner predicts recession amid plummeting tax revenue

Photo: clipart.com


A decline in tax revenues in April and other economic indicators point to a pandemic-inspired recession that will be “one for the record books,” the state finance commissioner wrote.

State tax collections were off by nearly 50 percent last month, mostly because of the delayed deadline from April 15 to July 15 for income tax filings, Administrative and Financial Services Commissioner Kirsten Figueroa wrote in a monthly email to the governor and lawmakers.

The delay in individual and corporate income tax revenue translated to $264 million less than projected in those categories.

Even accounting for that, “it’s becoming apparent that the swift and deep COVID-19 related recession will be one for the record books,” Figueroa wrote. “Recovery is expected to be slow,” she added.

Latest Headlines

45 minutes ago in Local

Maine supplemental budget clears committee, heads to full legislature

Fresh

Maine’s supplemental budget is advancing, and it includes a tax increase on millionaires and $300 relief payments to more than half a million lower income Mainers.

3 hours ago in Local

Missing South Portland man found safe

Police say Kulinski has been found safe.

22 hours ago in Local

Maine Lawmakers Pass Bill to Let Jails Turn Away Some ICE Detainees

Governor Mills has indicated she will sign the bill.

23 hours ago in Local

Two Arrested in Gardiner for Drug Dealing, Gun Charges

Officers say they saw what looked like illegal drugs at the residence.

1 day ago in Local

New Hampshire Man Dead in I-95 Crash in Newport

Maine State Police say they were on their way to assist a stopped car in the travel lane of I-95.