Eliminating Income Tax Hurts Missourians

By eliminating Missouri's income tax and expanding sales taxes, the state would move toward taxing everyday necessities at rates that could reach around 9% when combined with local taxes. That means higher costs on the goods and services Missourians rely on every day.

For most households, this is not a tax cut, it is a tax increase. The plan would raise taxes for the majority of Missourians, while delivering the biggest benefits to the wealthiest.

Missouri’s tax system is already inequitable. Low- and middle-income families pay a higher share of their income in taxes than the wealthiest. This proposal would deepen that imbalance, shifting even more of the responsibility onto those already struggling to get ahead.

At the same time, the income tax currently provides nearly two-thirds of Missouri’s general revenue, funding schools and essential services across the state. Even with expanded sales taxes, the proposal would leave an estimated $5 billion gap in the state budget.

That gap would have real consequences:

Schools could face funding cuts, closures, or consolidation—especially in rural and exurban communities
Investments in infrastructure, public safety, and community health would be at risk
Local economies would suffer as rising costs reduce consumer spending

Missourians drive our economy. When everyday expenses increase, families have less to spend locally—hurting small businesses and slowing economic growth.

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Your Message to the legislators

Dear (name and title inserted automatically),

I am writing as your constituent to urge you to oppose any proposal to eliminate Missouri’s income tax and replace it with expanded sales taxes.

This plan would shift the cost of funding our state onto everyday purchases—meaning Missourians could face combined sales tax rates of around 9% on goods and services like gas, car repairs, and home maintenance.

While it is being described as a tax cut, most Missourians would actually pay more. At the same time, the proposal would primarily benefit the wealthiest households, further worsening Missouri’s already upside-down tax system where low- and middle-income families pay a higher share of their income in taxes.

Eliminating the income tax would also remove nearly two-thirds of the state’s general revenue. Even with expanded sales taxes, this proposal is projected to leave a $5 billion gap in the state budget.

That shortfall would have serious consequences for our communities. Schools could face funding cuts, closures, or consolidation, particularly in rural and exurban areas. Other essential services that families rely on would also be at risk.

This proposal would also harm local economies. When the cost of everyday goods and services increases, Missourians have less money to spend in their communities.

Missouri’s economic strength depends on strong schools, reliable infrastructure, and healthy communities. This plan would undermine those foundations.

I urge you to oppose efforts to eliminate the income tax and instead support policies that create a fair and sustainable tax system for all Missourians.

Thank you for your time and consideration.