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 $9,436, 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: ~$3,670 state tax (3.67% effective rate), highly competitive regionally.
Missouri's aggressive tax cut campaign: Missouri cut its top rate to 4.95% (2023), 4.8% (2024) and 4.7% (2025-2026); state law allows up to three further 0.1-point cuts (down to 4.5%), but only if revenue triggers 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%, $4,781 at $100K), Illinois (4.95% flat, $4,805 at $100K), Iowa (3.8% flat, $3,148 at $100K), Arkansas (0-3.7%, $3,490), Tennessee (0%), Kentucky (3.5% flat, $3,382). At $100K: MO $3,670 vs KS $4,781 (MO saves $1,111), IL $4,805 (MO saves $1,135), IA $3,148 and AR $3,490 (both cheaper). Missouri is competitive with its Midwest neighbors, though Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana (2.95% state plus county tax) and no-tax states such as Tennessee come in lower.
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 | $1,368 | $5,188 | $44,812 | 10.4% |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $2,534 | $10,204 | $64,796 | 13.6% |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $3,670 | $16,840 | $83,160 | 16.8% |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $6,113 | $30,847 | $119,153 | 20.6% |
| $250,000 | $51,304 | $10,813 | $62,117 | $187,883 | 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 $3,670 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 (4.7% 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 4.7% near-flat tax kicks in at $9,436 (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: not taxed for taxpayers 62 and older (and Social Security disability) under Missouri's tax year 2024+ rules. No estate/inheritance tax. Kansas City MO/KS: Live on MO side (4.7% top rate), 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% | $3,670 | Baseline |
| Kansas | 5.20-5.58% | $4,781 | +$1,111 (more tax) |
| Illinois | 4.95% flat | $4,805 | +$1,135 (more tax) |
| Tennessee | 0% | $0 | -$3,670 (less tax) |
| Arkansas | 0-3.7% | $3,490 | -$180 (less tax) |
Key insight: Missouri's 4.7% near-flat tax is competitive regionally — lower than KS ($4,781) and IL ($4,805) at $100K, though Arkansas ($3,490) is lower. TN (0%) saves $3,670/year vs MO, and Iowa's 3.8% flat tax ($3,148) also beats MO. At $150K: TN saves $6,113/year vs MO. The question: is St. Louis/KC job market worth paying 4.7% 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 $3,670/year vs MO. At $200K: TN saves about $8,463/year. Over 10 years at $150K: TN saves about $61,130. 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 4.7% top rate (a drop to 4.5% is possible only if revenue triggers are met) is solid for Midwest - beats IL/KS. 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 roughly $3.7K-$8.5K/year at $100K-$200K), retirees on fixed incomes (TN has no income tax; MO taxes most pension income above its pension exemptions).
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 $9,436 for single filers (2026 withholding table), meaning almost all income is taxed at the top rate. At $50K income, tax is about $1,368 after the $16,100 standard deduction and the federal-income-tax deduction (2.7% effective rate). At $100K: $3,670 tax (3.7% effective). The 8 brackets provide minimal progressivity — Missouri functions as a near-flat 4.7% tax in practice. Missouri cut down: 4.95% (2023) → 4.8% (2024) → 4.7% (2025-2026); further cuts to 4.5% are allowed only if revenue triggers are met.
Missouri does not tax Social Security for taxpayers 62 and older (or Social Security disability) under its tax year 2024+ rules. Pensions: public pension income can be subtracted up to the maximum Social Security benefit amount (reduced by any Social Security subtraction claimed), and private pension income up to $6,000 per taxpayer if income is below limits ($25,000 single / $32,000 married combined, 2024 DOR figures); other pension, 401(k) and IRA income is taxed at up to 4.7%. Overall: MO is moderate for retirees - not great (TN/TX/FL have no income tax), not terrible. MO also has no estate tax; check the current status of any inheritance tax with the DOR.
Kansas City spans MO/KS border. At $100K: the MO side pays $3,670 state income tax, the KS side pays $4,781 (top rate 5.58%) - MO saves $1,111/year on state income tax. Property and sales tax rates vary by county and city on each side of the line - check your specific address. Caveat: KS schools (Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley) rank higher than most MO districts.
Possibly. RSMo 143.011 allows the top rate to fall by 0.15 point once and then by 0.1 point up to three more times (floor 4.5%), but only when net general revenue grows by statutory dollar amounts above prior years. The top rate was 4.95% (2023), 4.8% (2024) and 4.7% (2025-2026); no further 2026 reduction is confirmed. Check Missouri DOR for any announced change.
Missouri's total burden is moderate-low. At $100K with $225K St. Louis home: $3,670 income + $2,003 property (0.89%) + $4,562 sales (9.125% KC or 9.679% StL on $50K) = $10,235 total (10.2%). 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 $4,290/year! Kansas $100K + $225K home: $4,781 income + $2,723 property (1.21%) + $4,562 sales (9.125% KC) = $12,066 total (12.1%) - MO saves $1,831/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 (0-4.7%), but the top 4.7% applies to income over $9,436 (2026 withholding table). We calculate tax using the progressive structure, subtract the MO standard deduction ($16,100 single 2026) and the federal-income-tax deduction (RSMo 143.171), and add federal tax. Data sources: Missouri Department of Revenue (2026 rates/brackets), U.S. Census Bureau (migration). Verification: MO's 8-bracket structure and 4.7% top rate (income over $9,436, 2026 withholding table) checked against Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 143 and MO DOR 2026 guidance. Further cuts down to 4.5% are permitted only on revenue triggers (RSMo 143.011.3-4). Limitations: Assumes single filer, standard deduction, W-2 income, full-year MO residency. Does not include: Social Security subtraction, 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
Contact: For corrections or questions, visit our contact page.
Last Updated: May 2026