state tax

Missouri State Tax Guide

State tax rates and rules for income, sales, property, fuel, cigarette, and other taxes that impact Missouri residents.

May 18, 2022

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } May 18, 2022

Bottom Line

Middle-Class Families: Mixed Tax Picture (Go to the Kiplinger Tax Map for Middle-Class Families)
Retirees: Mixed Tax Picture (Go to the Kiplinger Tax Map for Retirees)

It's easy to see why the Show-Me State gets a "mixed" tax rating. For the three major taxes – income, sales and property taxes – state and local levies are neither very high nor very low. Missouri recently lowered its top income tax rate from 5.9% to 5.4%. But the state's income tax bite is still average because the top rate kicks in quickly.

Missouri's state sales tax rate is rather low. However, local sales tax rates can be high. So, overall, sales tax levies in the state are above average, but not by too much.

On the other hand, the median property tax rate in Missouri is slightly below average. Fuel taxes are among the lowest in the country, too.

Missouri Income Taxes

Missouri Income Tax Range

Low: 1.5% (on taxable income from $109 to $1,088)

High: 5.4% (on more than $8,704 of taxable income)

Missouri law calls for a 0.7% reduction in the top income tax rate over a period of years in 0.1% increments, but each rate cut is effective only if net general revenue collections hit a certain trigger amount. However, in 2024, the top rate will be reduced by 0.1% without regard to revenue collections.

Kansas City and St. Louis also impose an earnings tax.

Missouri Taxation of Social Security Benefits

Social Security benefits are not taxed for married couples with a federal adjusted gross income less than $100,000 and single taxpayers with an AGI of less than $85,000. Taxpayers who exceed those income limits may qualify for a partial exemption on their benefits.

Missouri Tax Breaks for Other Retirement Income

Up to $6,000 of federally-taxed income from private retirement plans is exempt for single filers with federal modified adjusted gross income of $25,000 or less. For joint filers with federal MAGI of $32,000 or less, up to $12,000 is exempt.

For the 2021 tax year, up to $39,365 of federally-taxed income from government retirement plans is exempt for single filers with federal AGI of $85,000 or less and joint filers with federal AGI of $100,000 or less.

Military pensions and Railroad Retirement benefits are fully exempt.

Missouri Sales Tax

4.225% state levy. Localities can add as much as 5.763%, and the average combined rate is 8.29%, according to the Tax Foundation.

Groceries: Taxable (1.225% state rate; additional local taxes may apply)
Clothing: Taxable
Motor Vehicles: Taxable
Prescription Drugs: Exempt

Missouri Real Property Taxes

In Missouri, the median property tax rate is $959 per $100,000 of assessed home value.

Missouri Property Tax Breaks for Retirees

A Missouri income tax credit helps seniors age 65 and older cover a portion of the property taxes or rent they have paid for the year. The maximum credit amount is $750 for renters and $1,100 for homeowners. The actual credit is based on the amount of real estate taxes or rent paid and total household income. Single homeowners must have a total household income of $30,000 or less ($27,500 or less for renters), while married couples filing a joint return must have a total household income of $34,000 or less ($29,500 or less for renters).