Preliminary statewide calculations for the fourth quarter 1999 taxable sales show a substantial gain over the actual figures for the same quarter a year ago, announced Dean Andal, Chairman, State Board of Equalization.

Andal estimated that California businesses completed approximately $106.6 billion in transactions subject to the sales and use tax during 1999's fourth quarter--an increase of about 10.7 percent over the fourth quarter 1998 final total of $96.4 billion.

Recent taxable sales and their year-to-year increases are shown below:

Taxable Sales (millions)

Year-to-Year Increase

The growth in fourth quarter sales figures marked the fourth consecutive quarter of very strong growth. Taxable sales growth for calendar year 1999 is estimated to be 9.3%. This is the largest growth since 1984.

It is important to note that these fourth quarter 1999 figures are preliminary, based on raw sales tax receipts tabulated before adjustments for any late tax returns. Figures for cities and counties will not be available for another two months.

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