St. Louis Local Tax Guide (2026)
Understanding how local taxes work in St. Louis, Missouri, and how they affect your take-home pay.
In this guide
Last updated: October 1, 2026
- •St. Louis has a local earnings tax that applies to income earned in the city.
- •Residents pay 1.00% on all income.
- •Local tax is separate from Missouri state tax and federal tax. Both are calculated independently and add to your total tax burden.
- •Local tax directly reduces your take-home pay. Combined with state and federal taxes, the total tax burden can be significant for high earners.
What St. Louis local tax costs at three incomes
The 1.00% resident rate is charged on top of federal tax, Missouri state tax and FICA. Priced for 2026, a $75,000 salary loses $750 to St. Louis alone and takes home $58,255: a combined 22.3% of gross across all four.
| Salary | St. Louis tax | Missouri tax | Federal + FICA | Take-home | Total rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $500 | $1,413 | $7,645 | $40,442 | 19.1% |
| $75,000 | $750 | $2,588 | $13,408 | $58,255 | 22.3% |
| $120,000 | $1,200 | $4,703 | $26,750 | $87,347 | 27.2% |
How St. Louis compares
Of the 62 US jurisdictions that levy a local income tax, St. Louis ranks 54th by resident rate, level with 7 other jurisdictions. The median is 2.50%, the highest is New York City at 3.078%–3.876%, and the lowest is St. Louis at 1.00%. Immediately above St. Louis sits Pontiac (1.00%).
Within Missouri, 2 jurisdictions charge a local income tax and St. Louis is the 2nd highest. Same salary, different address:
| Missouri jurisdiction | Resident rate | Cost on $75,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 1.00% | $750 |
| St. Louis | 1.00% | $750 |
What local taxes apply in St. Louis
St. Louis has a local earnings tax that applies to income earned in the city.
Key Takeaway
| Residency Status | Rate | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Resident | 1.00% | All income |
St. Louis has a local earnings tax that applies to income earned in the city. The rate depends on whether you're a resident or non-resident.
St. Louis has a local earnings tax that applies to income earned in the city.
Residents: If you live in St. Louis, you pay 1.00% on all your income.
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How they interact with state taxes
St. Louis local tax is calculated separately from Missouri state income tax. Both taxes are calculated on your taxable income and are withheld by your employer.
Tax Deduction
St. Louis local tax is calculated separately from Missouri state income tax. This means:
- Local tax is in addition to state tax, not instead of it
- Both taxes are calculated on your taxable income (or wages, depending on the tax type)
- Your employer withholds both local and state taxes from your paycheck
- You may be able to deduct local tax on your state tax return, depending on Missouri tax rules
For example, if you earn $100,000 in St. Louis, you pay Missouri state tax on that income, plus St. Louis local tax. The local tax doesn't reduce your state taxable income.
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Who is affected
You're subject to St. Louis local tax if you live in the city or work in the city, depending on whether you're a resident or non-resident.
You're subject to St. Louis local tax if:
- You live in St. Louis (residents pay on all income)
- You're self-employed and perform work in St. Louis
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Common paycheck misconceptions
Common misunderstandings about St. Louis local tax, including when it applies and how it's calculated.
Common misconceptions about St. Louis local tax:
- "It's the same as state tax": False. Local tax is separate from Missouri state tax and is calculated independently.
- "I only pay if I live there": True for residents, but check if non-residents are subject to tax.
- "Remote work means no tax": If you're a St. Louis resident, you typically pay on all income regardless of where you work.
Take-home pay impact
St. Louis local tax directly reduces your take-home pay. The amount depends on your income level and whether you're a resident or non-resident.
St. Louis local tax directly reduces your take-home pay. For example, if you earn $100,000 as a St. Louis resident:
- Local tax: approximately $1000 annually
- This reduces your bi-weekly paycheck by about $38
- Combined with Missouri state tax and federal tax, the total tax burden can be significant
To see exactly how St. Louis local tax affects your paycheck, use our calculator above. You can adjust your income, filing status, and deductions to see how different scenarios affect your net pay.
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Does this apply to you?
Determine whether you're subject to St. Louis local tax based on where you live and work.
Check Your Pay Stub
You're subject to St. Louis local tax if:
- You live in St. Louis (residents pay on all income)
You're not subject to St. Louis local tax if you live and work outside the city, even if you're a Missouri resident.