Missouri has a 0-4.7% progressive income tax (8 brackets), but the structure is misleading — the 4.7% top rate applies to income over just $9,191, meaning almost all Missourians pay the top rate on most of their income. For practical purposes, Missouri's tax is effectively a 4.7% near-flat tax. At $100K income: ~$3,767 state tax (3.77% effective rate), highly competitive regionally.
Missouri's aggressive tax cut campaign: Missouri cut its top rate from 5.4% (2022) to 4.95% (2023) to 4.8% (2024) to 4.7% (2026), with further cuts scheduled to 4.5% by 2028 if revenue growth targets are met. The goal: compete with Tennessee (0%) and Texas (0%) to attract businesses and residents from high-tax states. Missouri ranks 13th-lowest state tax burden nationally and is actively working to drop lower.
Regional comparison: Kansas (5.20-5.58%, $4,594 at $100K), Illinois (4.95% flat, $4,153 at $100K), Iowa (3.8% flat, $3,188 at $100K), Arkansas (2-4.7%), Tennessee (0%), Kentucky (~4%). At $100K: MO $3,767 vs KS $4,594 (MO saves $827), IL $4,153 (MO saves $386), IA $3,188 (IA is cheaper). Missouri is competitive — only Iowa flat-tax now beats it in the Midwest, plus no-tax states TN and SD.
Source: Missouri Department of Revenue - Individual Income Tax
Note: These are marginal rates — you only pay the higher rate on income within each bracket.
Source: Missouri Department of Revenue
Here's what Missouri residents actually pay at different income levels (2026, single filer, standard deduction):
| Annual Income | Federal Tax | State Tax | Total Tax | Take-Home Pay | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $1,417 | $5,237 | $44,763 | 10.5% |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $2,592 | $10,262 | $64,738 | 13.7% |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $3,767 | $16,937 | $83,063 | 16.9% |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $6,117 | $30,851 | $119,149 | 20.6% |
| $250,000 | $51,304 | $10,817 | $62,121 | $187,879 | 24.8% |
Note: Includes federal and state income tax only. Does not include FICA (Social Security/Medicare), which adds 7.65% for employees.
Key takeaway: At $100K, Missouri takes $3,767 in state tax alone.
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Migration Trends: Missouri experienced modest net outmigration of -5,120 residents (2021-2022). Top origin: Illinois (12,340 from IL - escaping Chicago taxes/crime, St. Louis jobs), California (5,670 from CA - massive tax savings), Texas (4,230 from TX - lower cost). Outflow: Texas (9,890 to TX - 0% tax, jobs), Florida (8,450 to FL - 0% tax, warm), Tennessee (6,120 to TN - 0% tax, Nashville boom).
Why people move to Missouri: Moderate taxes (4.8% competitive regionally), low cost of living (St. Louis $225K median home, KC $260K vs coastal $600K-1.3M), manufacturing jobs (Boeing, GM, Ford), healthcare (BJC HealthCare, Mercy Health), central US location. Why people leave: Small job markets (St. Louis 2.8M, KC 2.2M vs Chicago 9.5M, DFW 8M), declining population/economy (St. Louis lost 65K residents 2010-2020), neighboring states have 0% tax (TN, TX), harsh summers (90-100°F June-Aug with 70% humidity).
Tax considerations: MO 4.8% near-flat tax kicks in at $8,449 (almost everyone pays top rate). Property tax: 0.89% avg ($2,003/year on $225K St. Louis home). Sales tax: 4.225% state + up to 5.5% local = 9.725% max (high - St. Louis 9.679%, KC 9.125%). Social Security: Partially taxed (deductible up to federal amount if income under $85K single/$100K married). No estate/inheritance tax. Kansas City MO/KS: Live on MO side (4.8% tax), work on KS side (pay MO tax as MO resident) - no savings unless you move to KS.
| State | Tax Rate | Tax on $100K Income | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 0-4.7% | $3,767 | Baseline |
| Kansas | 5.20-5.58% | $4,594 | +$827 (more tax) |
| Illinois | 4.95% flat | $4,153 | +$386 (more tax) |
| Tennessee | 0% | $0 | -$3,767 (less tax) |
| Arkansas | 2-4.7% | $3,880 | +$113 (more tax) |
Key insight: Missouri's 4.7% near-flat tax is competitive regionally — lower than KS ($4,594) and IL ($4,153) at $100K, and cheaper than Arkansas ($3,880). But TN (0%) saves $3,767/year vs MO, and Iowa's completed 3.8% flat reform ($3,188) now also beats MO. At $150K: TN saves $6,117/year vs MO. The question: is St. Louis/KC job market worth paying 4.8% vs moving to TN's 0% but smaller job markets?
The Tennessee temptation (Memphis/Nashville): Live in Memphis TN (0% tax), 280 miles from St. Louis (4.5 hr drive). Or Nashville TN (0% tax, booming economy). At $100K: TN saves $4,690/year vs MO. At $200K: TN saves $9,490/year. Over 10 years at $150K: TN saves $70,900. BUT: St. Louis has cheaper housing ($225K median vs Nashville $420K). Break-even: If you value MO's lower housing costs ($195K savings on home) + familiarity, stay. If maximizing take-home pay, move to TN.
Bottom line: Missouri's 4.8% rate (dropping to 4.5% by 2028) is solid for Midwest - beats IL/KS slightly. But TN's 0% is too attractive for high earners ($100K+) willing to relocate. MO is best for: manufacturing workers tied to Boeing/GM plants, families who want low cost ($225K homes) + moderate taxes, people unwilling to move to TN/TX. Not ideal for: remote workers/high earners (TN saves $5K-10K/year), retirees on fixed incomes (TN 0% vs MO 4.8% on pensions).
Missouri's 8-bracket structure (0%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5%, 4.7%) is a historical artifact. The top 4.7% rate applies to income over just $9,191 for single filers (2026), meaning almost all income is taxed at the top rate. At $50K income: first $9,191 taxed at lower rates ($256), remaining $24,709 at 4.7% ($1,161) = $1,417 total (2.83% effective rate). At $100K: $3,767 tax (3.77% effective). The 8 brackets provide minimal progressivity — Missouri functions as a near-flat 4.7% tax in practice. Missouri cut down: 5.4% (2022) → 4.95% (2023) → 4.7% (2026) → targeting 4.5% by 2028.
Missouri partially taxes Social Security and fully taxes pensions. Social Security: Deductible if income is under $85K single/$100K married (2026 thresholds). Above these thresholds, SS is fully taxable at 4.8% rate. Pension/401k/IRA: Fully taxable at 4.8% with NO special retirement deductions. At typical retiree income ($40K SS + $40K pension = $80K): $40K SS deductible (under $85K), $40K pension taxed = $1,920 MO tax (2.4% effective). This is moderate: worse than TN $0 (0%), similar to AR $2,280 (4.56%), better than KS $4,560 (5.7%). MO also has no estate or inheritance tax. Overall: MO is moderate for retirees - not great (TN/TX/FL are 0%), not terrible (lower than IL/MN).
Kansas City spans MO/KS border. At $100K: MO side pays $4,690 state tax (4.8%), KS side pays $4,950 (5.7% top rate) - MO saves $260/year. Property tax: MO 0.89% vs KS 1.21% - MO saves $640/year on $200K home. Sales tax: MO 9.125% (KC) vs KS 9.125% (Overland Park) - identical. Housing: Similar prices ($260K KC MO vs $280K Overland Park KS). Result: Missouri side saves $900/year total ($260 income + $640 property). Caveat: KS schools (Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley) rank higher than most MO districts. Trade-off: Save $1,080/year in MO vs better schools in KS suburbs. Best: Live in MO for taxes, send kids to private school with $1,080 savings if needed.
Yes. Missouri law (HB 2) schedules tax cuts to 4.5% by 2028 IF revenue growth targets are met. The schedule: 5.4% (2022) → 4.95% (2023) → 4.8% (2026) → 4.7% (2027 if triggered) → 4.5% (2028 if triggered). Trigger: State general revenue must grow 150% of CPI for 3 consecutive years. Political context: Missouri Republicans control legislature and governor's office, committed to competing with TN (0%) and TX (0%) for businesses. Realistic outcome: Likely reaches 4.5% by 2028, possibly 4% by 2030. Missouri is on a trajectory toward becoming a low-tax state to counter population loss (-65K St. Louis 2010-2020, -12K Kansas City).
Missouri's total burden is moderate-low. At $100K with $225K St. Louis home: $4,690 income + $2,003 property (0.89%) + $4,562 sales (9.125% KC or 9.679% StL on $50K) = $11,255 total (11.3%). Compare: Tennessee $100K + $225K home: $0 income + $1,170 property (0.52%) + $4,775 sales (9.55% avg) = $5,945 total (5.9%) - TN saves $5,310/year! Kansas $100K + $225K home: $4,950 income + $2,723 property (1.21%) + $4,562 sales (9.125% KC) = $12,235 total (12.2%) - MO saves $980/year. Result: MO beats KS/IL but loses badly to TN. MO is best if you value KC/StL job markets + low housing costs vs TN's 0% tax but higher housing (Nashville $420K).
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How we calculate: Missouri uses 8 brackets (2-4.8%), but top 4.8% applies to income over $8,449. We calculate tax using progressive structure, subtract MO standard deduction ($13,850 single 2026), add federal tax. Data sources: Missouri Department of Revenue (2026 rates/brackets), U.S. Census Bureau (migration). Verification: MO's 8-bracket structure and 4.8% top rate (income over $8,449) verified against Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 143 (Income Tax) and MO DOR 2026 guidance. Tax cut schedule (4.8% → 4.5% by 2028) verified against HB 2 (2022). Limitations: Assumes single filer, standard deduction, W-2 income, full-year MO residency. Does not include: Social Security deduction (income under $85K single/$100K married), pension deductions, property tax (0.89% avg), sales tax (9.125-9.679% in KC/StL), MO Property Tax Credit, itemized deductions.
Last Updated: May 2026
Verified By: Daniel · CountryTaxCalc
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Last Updated: May 2026