Gas tax not going up next year, but Southern Utah drivers still paying more at pump

Stock image | Photo by Geribody, iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — The Utah State Tax Commission announced that the tax on gasoline purchases in Utah will not go up in 2018. Meanwhile, gas prices in the St. George metropolitan area are more than 15 cents higher than the state average.

The tax rate for gasoline and diesel will remain at 29.4 cents per gallon for any fuel sold, used or received in Utah.

Stock image | Photo by IPGGutenbergUKLtd, iStock / Getty Images Plus, St. George News

The rate went unchanged based on state regulation that places the tax rate at 16.5 percent of the statewide average motor fuel price for the previous fiscal year.

As the rate is dependent on statewide average prices, that rate could go up or down in the coming years.

The average price of gas in Utah Sunday was $2.40 per gallon of regular unleaded fuel, up from $2.18 on the same day one year ago, according to data compiled by AAA.

However, the average statewide price is down about 10 cents from one month ago, even factoring in the 2 cent average increase that comes along with holiday travel.

More than 97 million Americans hit the road for the holidays this year – the most ever on record, AAA spokesperson Jeanette Casselano said in a news release.

“At 20 cents more per gallon than the same time last year, pump prices don’t seem to be a deterrent for today’s travelers,” Casselano said. “The good news is that in most states, gas prices are 12 cents less than they were a month ago. So today, motorists can find gas for $2.50 or less at 71 percent of gas stations in the country.”

The St. George metropolitan area falls in the 29 percent of the country where average gas prices are above $2.50 per gallon. As of Sunday, the average price per gallon in the region was $2.57 for regular unleaded fuel.

Of all the state’s major metropolitan areas, Southern Utah motorists are paying the most, while drivers in the Provo-Orem area are paying the least at an average of $2.28 per gallon.

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4 Comments

  • utahdiablo December 30, 2017 at 9:07 pm

    Don’t think the State of Utah is giving you all a gift folks, far from it, the only reason your gas tax will not increased in 2018 is because you all saw a drop in gasoline prices in 2017….That is the only reason, as “they” in charge thought the gas prices we all saw a few years ago were here to stay:…..The bill comes after lawmakers two years ago voted to raise the gas tax by 4.5 cents a gallon, with a formula for automatic tax hikes if gas prices increase.

    But when the new law was passed, gas prices were high, and since then prices have shrunk. That meant the taxes anticipated for next year would not have been realized
    The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, R-Vernal, said consumers likely won’t see an increase until 2018 or even 2019, depending on the fuel market. He said a built-in price ceiling would cap the tax at about 40 cents…..that’s a added 40 cents a gallon on every gallon folks! ..So No Thank you Utah Reps…no pat on your backs for “saving us money”

    • desertgirl December 31, 2017 at 9:00 am

      Your bottom line conclusion should make all the ‘can’t pay enough taxes’ liberals happy.

      • comments December 31, 2017 at 12:07 pm

        Except in this state it’s our dear mormon “conservative republicans” that keep increasing our taxes constantly. Tax and spend mormon republicans

  • old school January 1, 2018 at 12:51 am

    And the gas stations strategically placed at the intersection of St George Blvd and River Road are fifty cents HIGHER per gallon than any other station in town. Price gouging is what St George is all about!

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