Dave Hardy

West Virginia tax officials say collections of nearly $949 million so far this fiscal year are 3.7 percent or almost $34 million higher than the same period last year.

Treasury Secretary Dave Hardy says revenues from September alone were up 3.5 percent mainly due to increases in corporate net income tax as well as severance tax receipts from coal mining and natural gas drilling.

West Virginia tax officials say collections of nearly $560 million so far this fiscal year are 3.9 percent higher than last year, though August receipts of almost $307 million were lower than budget estimates.

Treasury Secretary Dave Hardy says the boost in collections is good news for the state two months into its new year.

In a press call Monday, officials from the state Department of Revenue said February marks the first time this fiscal year that the state’s brought in more money than estimated.

February’s tax collections exceeded estimates for the month, but total revenue collections are still lower than those of last year.

State revenue figures show West Virginia's tax collections for February exceeded estimates by $10 million but still leave the government's estimated shortfall for the fiscal year at $123 million.

Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy notes the Justice administration has identified unspent funds to use and avoid tapping the state's rainy day fund.

Gov.-elect Jim Justice says a Charleston attorney, accountant and Kanawha County commissioner will be his administration's secretary of the Department of Revenue.

Dave Hardy, whose law practice focuses on energy and mining law, also teaches public budgeting at West Virginia State University.