Do You Support a Sales Tax for Online Purchases?

The Marketplace Fairness Act was approved in the U.S. Senate, and is headed for the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would require merchants to collect sales taxes on online purchases.

It's called the "Marketplace Fairness Act" and supporters say it levels the playing field between online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores by requiring online merchants to pay sales taxes to the states, counties and localities where they have done business. Opponents include anti-tax activists and retailers who say it will be overly burdensome—in fact, nearly impossible, they say, to keep track of the tax rates and tax requirements for the myriad of taxing agencies where they may be doing business. The Marketplace Fairness Act passed the U.S. Senate 69-27 on Monday. Next up, the legislation goes to the GOP-led House. President Barack Obama has previously said he supports the bill. Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, voted for …

•  72 Comments
• Photos (3)

PaulRevere

12:20 am on Monday, May 20, 2013

Let me commend you on your typing abilities. In 1986 the US congress passed "new laws" for immigration. Even though we had hundreds of laws stating exactly how to deport those breaking the laws. None were followed. The Govt just did not follow the laws. Amnesty took place with maybe under 6mill illegals kept in this country. So now we have over 14mill new illegals. So now in 2013 congress wants …   more ›

Win a $1K Shoe Shopping Spree at South County Center

Shoppers can enter for a chance to win through April 7.

Baby Sale Expected to Draw Hundreds to Mehlville High

Get in on the baby mania at this spring shopping extravaganza.

Roger's Elementary Hosts Spring Fling Vendor Fair

The event is free and includes a raffle for faboulous prizes from vendors as well as four tickets to Roger's Elementary trivia night. All funds raised go to Roger's Elementary!

Ask the Patch Pro: Local Experts Answer Your Holiday Budgeting Questions

Our panel of experts are waiting in the comments to answer your questions about shopping and maintaining a budget during the holidays in the latest installment of Ask the Patch Pro.

It's time for another edition of Ask the Patch Pro, where each week we tackle a different topic and open up the comments section for questions. Our team of experts stop in to help you out and answer your questions. This week we're talking about sticking to a budget for the holiday shopping season. Patch wants to help find the answers to all your questions about wise holiday spending, but we needed a little help.  We've compiled a team of experts to help us out. Meet the experts:

•  14 Comments
• Photos (1)

Expired Gift Cards? They May Be An Unexpected Present

With the giving of gift cards ramping up for the holidays, the Missouri Treasurer's Office reminded residents that they never actually expire.

If you're like many Missourians, you probably can expect to receive a gift card or two for Christmas this year, perhaps to one of your favorite stores or just an-all purpose pre-loaded debit card.  If you have cards leftover from last year, those out-of-date card might just turn out to be an unexpected holiday gift.   That's because gift cards and certificates never actually expire in Missouri and may end up labelled as unclaimed property by the Missouri Treasurer's office. State Treasurer Clint Zweifel offered some tips on how to redeemed expired cards in a recent press release.  "It is important to remember that even if that piece of paper or plastic doesn’t get used by the expiration date it could be Unclaimed Property,” Zweifel said. “…

• Photos (1)

Shopping Event Highlights South County's Small, Women-Owned Businesses

Get your holiday shopping done while supporting South St. Louis County businesses and The Jefferson County Pet Food Pantry.

More than 15 local, small, women-owned businesses are gathering in the Concord neighborhood in December for a two-day shopping event. "Avoid the crazy malls and large retail chains. Buy local!" the event's organizers wrote on Facebook. Stop, Shop & Support runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 8 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 9 at 11231 Concord Village Ave. Vendors include Apriori Beauty, Scentsy, It Works Wraps, Lia Sophia Jewelry, Salon Inertia, Pure Romance, 31 Gifts, Moonlight Cupcakes (Sunday only), ChocWhits Candy & Favors, Haute Haus, Flamm Realty, AMS Photography, FacePaintingstl Samantha, The Clear Bag Store, Pampered Chef, and Tupperware. Vendors will also donate goods for a raffle benefiting the Jefferson County Pet Food …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Lindsay Toler

12:03 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Of course! I'll be doing more stories on these vendors with more information. But I can also update this story as I get more info. Also, if any vendors want to post info about the sale, go to mehlville-oakville.patch.com/announcements/new and post your own announcement! (JoAnn, does that help?) -LT   more ›

'Black Friday Creep' Spurs Online Petition Drives to Save Thanksgiving

Thousands are signing an online petitions against Black Friday store opening hours that have been pushed into Thanksgiving Day.

The trend for stores to open earlier and earlier to take advantage of Black Friday sales—even to the point of opening in the evening on Thanksgiving Day—has prompted an online petition drive to give Thanksgiving back to employees and their families. - - - - -  Read More: Black Friday Shopping in St. Louis to Start Earlier Than Ever - - - - -  The original petition was reportedly created by a Target employee upset that the retail giant is opening on Thanksgiving and requiring employees to work instead of spending time with their families. Target stores, including the one in Mehlville near I-270 and I-55, will open their doors at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving. As of Wednesday morning, there are more than 208,830 signatures on the petition. (Check …

• Photos (1)