Missouri Income Tax Calculator 2026
Calculate your combined federal and Missouri state income tax for 2026. See your federal brackets, Missouri tax, effective rate, and take-home pay — all calculated privately in your browser.
How Missouri Income Tax Calculator Works
Calculate your Missouri income tax (up to 4.8%) plus federal tax. See combined brackets, effective rate, and take-home pay. Enter your values into the form above and the calculator processes them instantly in your browser — no data is sent to any server.
Missouri Income Tax: Graduated Brackets Up to 4.8%
Missouri uses a progressive income tax system with 8 brackets. Rates range from 0% to 4.8%, with higher income taxed at higher rates. Missouri has been gradually reducing its top rate and plans further cuts.
Like federal taxes, Missouri's system is marginal — only the income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate. Combined with federal taxes (10%–37%), Missouri residents can face a total marginal rate of up to 41.8% on their highest dollars of income.
Missouri Tax Brackets for 2026 (Single Filer)
The Missouri income tax brackets for single filers are:
- 0% on income from $0 to $1,207
- 2.0% on income from $1,207 to $2,414
- 2.5% on income from $2,414 to $3,621
- 3.0% on income from $3,621 to $4,828
- 3.5% on income from $4,828 to $6,035
- 4.0% on income from $6,035 to $7,242
- 4.5% on income from $7,242 to $8,449
- 4.8% on income over $8,449
Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar of income. Your effective rate (total tax divided by total income) is always lower because of the progressive structure.
Tips to Lower Your Missouri Tax
Maximize pre-tax retirement contributions to reduce both federal and Missouri taxable income. The 2026 401(k) limit is $24,500 ($32,500 with catch-up for age 50+). If Missouri conforms to federal deductions, your standard deduction and itemized expenses also reduce your state tax liability.
Tips for Getting Accurate Results
For the most accurate results, use up-to-date numbers from official sources. Double-check your inputs before calculating — small errors in the starting values can lead to significantly different outputs. If you are comparing scenarios, keep all variables the same except the one you are testing. Save or screenshot your results for future reference. This calculator uses standard formulas and is designed to give you a reliable quick estimate, though professional advice may be needed for complex situations.
Missouri Income Tax Calculator vs Kansas — Cross-Border Comparison for KC Metro
The Kansas City metro straddles the Missouri-Kansas state line — which side of the river is cheaper for taxes? At $80,000 single income, this Missouri income tax calculator produces roughly $3,070 in state tax (4.7% top rate, 3.84% effective) plus Kansas City's 1.0% Earnings Tax ($800) — total $3,870. Living in Overland Park or Lenexa (Kansas side), Kansas state tax at the new 2024 single-bracket structure (5.2% above $30K) is roughly $3,640 per the Kansas Department of Revenue with no city earnings tax — total $3,640. Kansas wins by ~$230/year at this income. The gap widens for higher earners as Missouri's bracket compression flattens but Kansas stays at 5.2% top. Crossing the state line for an apartment to save $20/month tax usually loses to commute time and double-state-return complexity if you work across the border. Use this calculator's output as the Missouri side of the comparison; Kansas tax depends on Kansas-specific brackets — see our Kansas income tax calculator for the matched figure.
Worked Example: Missouri Income Tax on $65,000 (Single, Kansas City Resident)
Suppose a Kansas City resident earns $65,000 in 2025 (the rate that applies to the return filed in 2026). After Missouri's standard deduction (~$14,600 for single, matching federal), Missouri taxable income is roughly $50,400. Missouri's 2025 graduated brackets stack: small amounts at 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5% on the lowest tiers, then 4.7% on income above the top threshold. The total Missouri state tax works out to approximately $2,225 (~4.4% effective state rate). Add the Kansas City Earnings Tax of 1.0% on gross wages = $650. Federal tax at 22% marginal (single, standard deduction) is roughly $7,100. Combined federal + state + KC earnings = $9,975 — take-home of about $55,025 before FICA (which adds another 7.65%). Move to a non-KC/non-STL Missouri address and you save the $650 earnings-tax line. The Missouri Department of Revenue confirms the current rate each January.
Missouri Tax Rate Cuts: What's Happening in 2026
Missouri has been on a multi-year campaign to cut its top income tax rate. Per the Missouri Department of Revenue, the top rate dropped from 5.4% (2017) to 4.95% (2023), to 4.8% (2024), and to 4.7% for tax year 2025 after SB 3 / HB 156 triggered the next "tax cut trigger" — a revenue-growth test tied to general fund collections. The 2026 top rate is projected to drop to 4.6% if FY2025 revenue collections clear the statutory growth threshold (announced each January by the Director of Revenue). Missouri is targeting a final top rate of 4.5% within the next few tax cut triggers, depending on revenue performance.
Practical impact for 2026 filers: every 0.1 percentage point cut saves roughly $30 per $30,000 of taxable income above $8,449. A worker earning $75,000 saves about $66 between 2024 and 2026 rates — modest individually but meaningful in aggregate. Watch the official Director of Revenue announcement in January each year to confirm which bracket structure applies to your filing year. Local income tax in Missouri: only Kansas City (1.0% Earnings Tax) and St. Louis (1.0% Earnings Tax) charge a city-level income tax — collected separately from your Missouri return. Updated 2026-07-06.
Missouri Income Tax Calculator for Retirees: Social Security and Pension Rules
Missouri fully exempts Social Security benefits from state income tax for filers meeting the AGI test — single filers under $85,000 and joint filers under $100,000 owe zero Missouri tax on SS as of tax year 2024 and later per the Missouri Department of Revenue. Above those thresholds a partial phase-out applies. Public pensions from Missouri state and local government (MOSERS, PSRS/PEERS, teacher retirement) are also fully deductible up to the same income limits. Traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals are taxable at Missouri's flat 4.7% rate (2025) or 4.6% (projected 2026), with a $9,000 general retirement deduction available. Bottom line for a retiree pulling $60,000 from a 401(k) with Social Security — most middle-class retirees pay well under $2,000 in Missouri state tax, making it one of the more retiree-friendly Midwest states.
Missouri Federal Income Tax Deduction — The Unusual State Break Most Filers Miss
Missouri is one of only six US states (with AL, IA, LA, MT, OR) that allow a federal income tax deduction on the state return. Per Missouri Department of Revenue Form MO-1040 instructions and Missouri Revised Statutes Sec 143.171, filers may deduct their federal income tax paid — capped at $5,000 single / $10,000 MFJ. Enter the amount from federal Form 1040 line 22 (subtract refundable credits), reported on MO-1040 Line 12. Practical impact: a single Missouri filer with $8,000 federal tax liability deducts $5,000 (the cap) from Missouri taxable income, saving $5,000 × 4.7% = $235 in state tax. A MFJ couple with $12,000 federal tax deducts $10,000, saving $470. This deduction is missed by tax software that doesn't have MO-specific logic — check that TurboTax/H&R Block/FreeTaxUSA populated Line 12 before filing. Estimated payments and self-employment tax count too. Updated 2026-07-14.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Missouri's top income tax rate?
Missouri's top marginal income tax rate is 4.8%. The state has 8 tax brackets with rates ranging from 0% to 4.8%.
How does Missouri's income tax work?
Missouri uses a progressive system where income is taxed at increasing rates through 8 brackets. Only income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate.
How much total tax will I pay in Missouri?
Your total tax includes both federal (10%-37%) and Missouri state tax (up to 4.8%). Use this calculator to see the combined amount, effective rate, and take-home pay.
Does Missouri conform to federal deductions?
Many states base their tax on federal adjusted gross income with state-specific modifications. Check Missouri's specific rules for how deductions and exemptions apply.
How can I lower my Missouri state income tax?
Maximize pre-tax retirement contributions (401k, IRA), use your HSA, and ensure you take all available deductions. These reduce both federal and state taxable income.
Is Missouri's top income tax rate dropping in 2026?
Yes, conditionally. Missouri's top rate is 4.7% for tax year 2025 and is projected to drop to 4.6% for 2026 if the state revenue 'tax cut trigger' (a statutory revenue-growth test under SB 3 / HB 156) is met. The Missouri Department of Revenue formally confirms each January which rate applies to the new tax year. Missouri is targeting a final top rate of 4.5% across the next 1-2 trigger cycles.
Do Kansas City and St. Louis charge city income tax?
Yes. Kansas City and St. Louis each impose a separate 1.0% Earnings Tax on residents and on non-residents who work in those cities. This is collected via the cities' own earnings tax returns (Form RD-109 for Kansas City, Form E-1 for St. Louis), separate from your Missouri state return. The 1% applies to gross wages and self-employment income. The rest of Missouri has no local income tax.
How do I use this Missouri income tax calculator step by step?
Enter your gross annual income, filing status (single, married jointly, head of household), pay frequency, and any pre-tax deductions like 401(k) or HSA. Click Calculate. The tool returns federal income tax (2026 brackets), Missouri state tax (graduated 2.0%–4.7% for tax year 2025; check Missouri DOR each January for the current rate), combined effective rate, marginal rate, and estimated take-home pay. The calculator does NOT include Kansas City or St. Louis 1% Earnings Tax — add those separately if you live or work in those cities.
If I live in Kansas City, MO and work in Overland Park, KS — who taxes my income?
Both Missouri and Kansas claim a piece. As a Missouri resident, all your wages are subject to Missouri state income tax (4.7% top rate for 2025) plus the Kansas City 1.0% Earnings Tax. Kansas also taxes the wages you earn for work performed in Kansas. To prevent double-taxation, Missouri grants a credit for the Kansas tax paid on the same income. You file a Kansas non-resident return (K-40 with Schedule S) and a Missouri resident return claiming the credit. Net result: you typically pay the higher of the two state rates on the Kansas-earned portion, plus the KC Earnings Tax.
Is Missouri income tax cheaper than Kansas for KC-area earners?
Marginally cheaper at low-to-mid incomes, marginally pricier at high incomes — depending on whether you live in Kansas City proper (which adds 1.0% Earnings Tax). At $80,000 single income: Missouri ~$3,070 state + $800 KC Earnings = $3,870 total. Kansas ~$3,640 state + no city tax = $3,640 total. Kansas wins by ~$230. The gap widens for higher earners since Kansas's 5.2% top rate stays higher than Missouri's compressed brackets. Below $40K income or living outside KC city limits, Missouri is the cheaper side.
What is the 2026 Missouri tax cut trigger and how does the calculator handle it?
Missouri's top income tax rate drops 0.1 percentage point each year that General Revenue collections grow above the statutory threshold (set by SB 3 / HB 156). The 2025 rate is 4.7%. Whether 2026 drops to 4.6% is announced by the Director of Revenue in January 2026 based on FY2025 actual collections. This calculator uses 4.7% for tax year 2025; if 4.6% triggers, re-run with the updated rate when you file the 2026 return — the difference is roughly $30 per $30,000 of taxable income above $8,449.
Does Missouri tax Social Security benefits in 2026?
No — Missouri fully exempts Social Security benefits for filers meeting the AGI test: single under $85,000 or joint under $100,000 owe zero Missouri tax on SS as of tax year 2024 and later. Above those thresholds a partial phase-out applies. Public pensions (MOSERS, PSRS/PEERS, teacher retirement) get the same deduction. This makes Missouri one of the more retiree-friendly Midwest states — most middle-class retirees owe under $2,000 in Missouri state income tax.
Are 401(k) and IRA withdrawals taxable in Missouri?
Yes — traditional 401(k), traditional IRA, and pre-tax pension withdrawals are fully taxable in Missouri at the flat 4.7% top rate (2025) or the projected 4.6% for 2026. Missouri does offer a $9,000 general retirement deduction to help offset the hit. Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA withdrawals are federal- and state-tax-free once you meet the 5-year rule and age 59½.
Can I deduct my federal income tax on my Missouri state return?
Yes — Missouri is one of only 6 states (with AL, IA, LA, MT, OR) that allow a federal income tax deduction on the state return. The cap is $5,000 single / $10,000 married filing jointly. Enter federal tax paid (Form 1040 line 22 minus refundable credits) on MO-1040 Line 12. Include federal estimated payments and self-employment tax. A single filer paying $8,000 in federal tax deducts the $5,000 cap, saving $235 in Missouri state tax at the 4.7% rate. Check that your tax software populated Line 12 — many miss this MO-specific deduction. Source: Missouri Rev. Stat. Sec 143.171.
Do I pay Kansas City or St. Louis city earnings tax on top of Missouri state tax?
Yes if you work OR live in Kansas City or St. Louis. Both cities levy a 1.0% Earnings Tax on gross wages (before Missouri state tax computation, no deduction against MO tax). Kansas City residents pay 1% regardless of workplace; non-residents pay 1% only on wages earned within KC limits. St. Louis operates the same 1% City Earnings Tax on all wages earned inside city limits and on all residents' wages. Filing: KC uses Form RD-109 (residents) or Form RD-108 (non-residents), St. Louis uses Form E-1. Both are due April 15 alongside your federal and Missouri returns. The 1% is on top of Missouri's 4.7% state tax.