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Missouri - State

Taxes in Missouri

From average state taxes with high local sales tax variability to expanding retirement income exemptions and no inheritance or estate taxes, Missouri’s tax structure offers moderate relief with location-based cost differences.

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Lauren Hamer
Sr. Editor

Lauren is a Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ (CFEI®) with more than a decade of experience covering senior-related issues, retirement planning, personal finance, and consumer protection. She is passionate about helping seniors and their families make informed decisions. Her work has been published on Credible, Angi, ConsumerAffairs, and more.
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Jeff Smith
Sr. Content Manager

As Retirement Living’s senior content manager, Jeff oversees the product and publishing of all retirement, investing, and consumer wellness content on the site. His extensive expertise in brand messaging and creating data-driven stories helps position Retirement Living as a top authority for senior content and community resources.

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At a glance:

  • Missouri has relatively average state income, property, and sales taxes, but higher local sales taxes in many areas can significantly increase the overall tax burden depending on where you live.
  • Retirees benefit from Social Security exemptions and expanding relief on public pensions, along with credits for seniors and partial deductions for other retirement income depending on income level.
  • The state does not impose inheritance or estate taxes, making it more favorable for transferring assets compared to many higher-tax states.

The overall tax rating for Missouri is mixed. Major taxes, like income, property, and sales taxes, are about average. However, several localities tack on a steep sales tax, pushing an average tax rate into extreme territory. Below, we explain various Missouri state taxes affecting retirement income, such as sales tax, inheritance tax, and property taxes.

For information regarding taxes in other states, see Retirement Taxes by State.

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Missouri Tax Rates

State Sales Tax4.225%
Avg State/Local Sales Tax8.39%
Gas Tax$0.25 per gallon
Diesel Tax$0.20 per gallon
Cigarette Tax$0.17 per pack
Income Tax4.8%
Effective Tax Rate4.50%
Property Tax0.82%
Social Security TaxPartial
Medical/Dental DeductionPartial
Federal Income Tax DeductionYes
Retirement TaxPartial
State Taxes in Missouri

Missouri Tax Rates Explained

Missouri Sales Tax

4.22%; groceries and plants and seeds for gardens are taxed at 1.225%. Cities, counties, and special taxing districts may impose a local sales and use tax up to 5.88%. Prescription drugs, hearing aids, and hearing aid supplies are exempt.

Missouri Income Tax

Max rate of 4.8% (on taxable income over $1,000). Additional reductions are possible in 2025 and thereafter if certain revenue requirements are met.

Missouri Property Taxes

Missouri’s effective property tax rate is 0.82%. This amounts to $2,011 on the median home price of $245,230.

The Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim is available to senior citizens and 100% disabled individuals who meet income qualifications. This credit provides a maximum of $750 for renters and $1,100 for homeowners who occupied their homes. The credit amount is based on real estate taxes or rent paid and total household income. See the property tax qualification chart to determine eligibility.

Missouri Retirement Taxes

Missouri allows a deduction based on income level for public and private pensions and military pensions. Starting in 2024, retirees in Missouri won’t have to pay state income taxes on Social Security, and as of 2025, the adjusted gross income (AGI) limitations for public pension exemptions have been removed. Current law allows a 100% exemption for Social Security benefits, and public retirement benefits can be deducted up to the maximum Social Security benefit amount, provided they are included in federal AGI.

Married couples with Missouri adjusted gross income greater than $100,000 and single individuals with Missouri adjusted gross income greater than $85,000, may qualify for a partial exemption. Taxpayers who also qualify for the Social Security or Social Security Disability Deduction must reduce their public pension exemption by the amount of the Social Security or Social Security Disability Deduction. Private pension exemptions remain up to $6,000 per taxpayer for those meeting income qualifications ($25,000 for single filers, $32,000 for married filing jointly, and $16,000 for married filing separately).

Taxpayers who itemize deductions on their federal tax return may itemize deductions on the Missouri income taxes. Taxpayers can take the state standard deduction if the benefit is greater than itemized deductions. However, if you itemize on the federal return, you must also itemize on the Missouri return.

Residents can deduct a percentage of federal income tax based on adjusted gross income. Percentages range from 5% to 35% and phase out completely at AGI of $125,001. This deduction is capped at $5,000.

See the Missouri Income Tax Guide for the tax year for more information.

Missouri Inheritance and Estate Taxes

Missouri has no inheritance tax and no estate tax for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2005.

For additional information, see the Missouri Department of Revenue website.