Internet Sales Tax

I do not know much about this organization (New Rules) but their website has some good background info on past collection of sale tax in our nation followed by a current synopsis of what is going on in the online sales world. Of course online retailers do not want to collect individual states sales taxes as opposed to the states that depend on revenue from this source of income; so it's a personal opinion of whether it's government infringing on interstate commerce or not. Does anyone else shop like I do; taking into account whether you have to pay a sales tax online when determining whether it's a good purchase or not?

http://www.newrules.org/retail/rules/internet-sales-tax-fairness

Humorous Look at Higher Fees

Sometimes you have to allow someone to show you the humorous side of an irritating situation. I do not agree with the governor's proposed tax increase, but this columnist for the Providence Journal can make your laugh about it. http://www.projo.com/lifebeat/markpatinkin/Mark10_04-10-11_IQNCS3M_v8.4797ea9.html

I also think the issue an internet sales tax, payable at the state rate of where the buyer lives, is getting more attention. That is an issue that I am following and will try to post on next time. It seems to be in the first stages of discussion and may gather strength as a way for some states to close their budget gaps.

New Beach Fees for Rhode Island

An interesting article in the Providence Journal online edition: http://www.projo.com/news/content/beach_fees_03-30-11_KIN8NSN_v27.1bd2375.html

This article is very well written.  Projo usually publishes in this manner and I always finish their articles. Plus, I found the fee table and statistics very informative.

What will get everyone involved is the fact that a person can see that the cost would become more than I think people will accept. Phase in a rate increase gradually over several years, but to double the rate all at once seems to be the last thing the residents of Rhode Island expected. I am keeping up with other forums/blogs and this seems to be the main concensus.

Current project : Tax rate going down but taxes will go up.

The newly elected governor of the State of Rhode Island; Lincoln Chafee, has proposed the tax structure in this state be changed to reflect current consumer spending trends.  To sum it up quickly: the tax rate will fall in this state from 7% to 6% - but everything that was previously not subject to sales tax will now be taxed (labor and services will be subject to sales tax). My project is to research and present findings on the following:  What is the history of the sales tax? What are the reasons put forth by the governor as to why this change has to happen? Interview and present findings from two groups affected: taxi drivers in a predominently tourist area already adversely affected by the economic downturn, and local elected officials with a tourist-based business subject to some part of the new tax structure.

I would like to contrast the two viewpoints. They may be similar or completely opposite. My goal is to inform people of the possible upcoming changes.  Does anyone have a different angle to approach this from?  I do not want to get too personal with financial questions, such as asking how much someone makes. However I was thinking of asking for percentages of business lost or gained in the past few seasons.

New Blog

Hi. My name is Rachele Fallon and I am a junior at URI's continuing education. This semester I am taking online classes because I live on an island and traveling away each week was not feasible this Spring. Although I miss the trip to Providence each week, I have taken care of all the obligations that I had at home and hope to be back in a Providence classroom next fall.  One good thing about being online, and due to this Public Writing class; I will now have blog experience.