Taxable sales make up an important part of Missouri’s overall economic picture, and those sales are improving. But Revenue Department officials feel it’s too early to celebrate. Retail sales are a major part of taxable sales. Revenue Director Carol Fischer says the overall picture is improving, but adjusted taxable sales in Missouri during the 3rd quarter of this year were at approximately the same level as the previous quarter. And,while some retailers, like the discount stores, are seeing big gains others are holding steady or losing ground. Fischer says a growing concern is the amount of revenue dollars lost to Internet sales, which – for the most part – steer clear state taxes. Online sales account for more and more of the total amount of retail sales. Fischer says $200-Million were spent, online – nationwide – on the day after Thanksgiving alone.