CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Taxable sales in Nevada jumped 7.6 percent in August over the same month a year ago, with strong gains reported in several sectors including sales of cars and durable goods.

A report released Thursday by the Department of Taxation says Nevada merchants sold nearly $3.7 billion of goods in August, on which the state collected $288 million in sales and use taxes. The tax collections are up 8.5 percent from last year.

Sales in Clark County rose 8.1 percent, while northern Nevada's Washoe County saw sales jump 10.5 percent.

Nine of Nevada's 17 counties reported increased sales activity during the month.

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